>.->:. 


UCSB  LIBRAW 


VH^A.^OIJ    fr  Iff 


THE 


LIFE    OF   HENRY  LONGDEN, 


MINISTER  OF  THE  GOSPEL: 


COMPILED  FROil  HIS  ME^MOIRS,  DIARY,  LETTERS, 
AND  OTHER  AUTHENTIC  DOCUJIENTS. 


Behold  asi  Israelite  indeed ;  in  whom  is  no  guile.— John  i,  47. 


NEW.YORK : 

PUBLISHED    BY    T.    MASON    AND    G.    LANE, 

For  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  at  the  Conference  Office, 
200  Mulberry-street. 


/.  Collord,  Printer. 

1837. 


PREFACE 


LIFE     OF    LONGDEN. 


The  proper  subjects  of  biography  are 
the  lives  and  characters  of  those  who  have 
shone  pre-eminently  in  civil  or  religious 
society.  The  conduct  of  such,  whether 
they  trod  the  public  circles,  or  adorned 
the  private  walks  of  life,  ought  to  be  ex- 
hibited as  examples  to  posterity :  and  it 
seems  but  a  just  debt  to  perpetuate  the 
memories  of  those  who  have  employed  their 
time,  devoted  their  powers,  or  hazarded 
their  lives,  for  the  promotion  of  the  true 
happiness  of  their  fellow-creatures.  Nor 
would  those  ilowers  of  modest  worth,  which 
bloom  unseen  in  the  vale  of  life,  appear 
less  lovely,  or  be  found  less  instructive, 
could  we  call  them  from  their  obscurity : — • 
but  their  names,  with  their  private  virtues, 
are  registered  on  high  ! 

The  subject  of  the  following  memoirs 
was  employed  the  major  part  of  his  life  in 
the  founding  and  the  spreading  of  Metho- 
dism; for  he  knew  no  difference  between 
the  cause  of  that  people  and  the  cause  of 
Christianity.  It  will  be  seen  that  his  la- 
bours were  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 


4         PREFACE  TO  THE  LIFE  OF  LONGDEN. 

The  compiler  is  conscious  of  his  inabili- 
ty to  answer  the  demands  of  a  pious  and 
intelligent  public,  in  performing  the  task 
imposed  upon  him ;  but  those  brethren  who 
were  more  able  to  undertake  the  w^ork  had 
not  sufficient  leisure ;  and  others,  who  had 
ability  and  opportunity,  had  but  an  imper- 
fect acquaintaace  with  the  life  and  labours 
of  the  deceased ;  it  appeared,  therefore,  to 
devolve  upon  the  present  writer  by  provi- 
dential appointment. 

Among;  the  manuscripts  of  the  deceased 
was  found  the  short  and  imaperfect  account 
of  himself  which  appears  in  some  of  the 
followinof  pages ;  which  account  was  not 
intended  for  publication,  but  only  for  the  in- 
struction and  admonition  of  his  own  family. 

Correctness  of  narrative,  and  faithful 
delineation  of  character,  have  been  attend- 
ed to,  setting  down  naught  by  way  of  ex- 
tenuation or  exaggeration.  The  sacred 
biographers  are  examples  of  this,  in  having 
written  the  whole  truth,  whether  it  consisted 
of  li2:ht  or  shade. 

This  manual  is  sent  into  the  world  with 
a  sincere  desire  that  the  divine  blessing 
may  accompany  it ;  which  alone  can  suc- 
ceed every  human  effort  to  spread  the 
honour  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  to 
whom  belong  equal  and  endless  praises. 


THE   LIFE 


HENRY    LONGDEN. 


CHAPTER  I. 

From  his  childhood  to  the  time  of  his  conversion 
to  God,  and  his  becoming  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Society. 

I  WAS  born  in  Sheffield,  in  the  county  of 
York,  February  6, 1754.  Although  my  parents 
had  had  nineteen  children,  none  of  them  were 
living  when  I  was  born  ;  and  their  great  desire 
that  I  should  be  spared,  led  them  imperceptibly 
into  an  over-indulgent  kind  of  tuition,  which, 
for  some  years,  proved  destructive  of  our  peace 
and  comfort. 

My  constitution,  (together  with  that  of  a 
sister  two  years  younger,)  contrary  to  most  of 
the  former  children,  was  sound  and  good,  and 
it  became  probable  that  I  should  be  reared. 
Crying  and  fretting,  it  was  thought,  would  en- 
danger my  health,  and  therefore  every  one's 
first  care  was  to  prevent  the  little  wonderful 
stranger  from  being  hurt  or  vexed.  I  have  ever 
considered  this  treatment  as  a  great  infelicity. 
So  long  as  it  lasted,  we  were  plunged  deeper 


6  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

and  deeper  into  difficulties.  Every  thing  which 
I  saw  I  wished  to  have  ;  and  lest  I  should  cry 
[  must  have  it  instantly,  if  it  were  possible  to 
procure  it.  The  new  toy  was  soon  cast  off  as 
old  and  useless,  and  the  more  I  had  the  more 
I  wanted.  My  fond  parents  Vv'ere  thus  in  con- 
tinual bondage  ;  and  the  domestics  were  as  so 
many  slaves  to  my  childish  tyranny.  That  the 
evils  resulting  from  this  mode  of  educating  chil- 
dren may  deeply  affect  my  own  children  who 
may  live  to  be  parents,  I  will  enumerate  some 
of  its  baneful  consequences,  as  exemplified  in 
the  first  seven  years  of  my  life. 

I  remember  standing  one  day  with  a  milk- 
can  in  my  hand,  when  my  father,  who  was  ob- 
serving  me  at  some  distance,  saw  me  in  danger 
of  being  run  over  by  a  cart,  and  shouted  to 
me  to  run  instantly.  The  loud  voice  at  once 
startled  me  and  raised  my  majesty ;  in  conse- 
quence of  which,  by  way  of  revenge,  I  took  the 
can,  and  laid  it  before  the  cart,  and  the  wheel 
ran  over  it.  What  a  mistaken  affection,  that 
I  did  not  receive  from  my  parents  a  salutary 
correction  ! 

At  another  time,  having  on  a  new  suit  of 
clothes,  my  father  happened  playfully  to  startle 
me,  at  which  I  was  so  mightily  offended,  that 
I  took  a  handful  of  mire  and  rubbed  it  on  my 
clothes.  Not  long  after  this,  as  my  father's 
apprentice  boys  were  going  out  one  evening  to 
walk  into  the  fields,  I  told  them  I  would  go 
with  them,  but  they,  refusing  me,  ran  away ; 
I  followed  them,  but  being  outrun,  in  my  fury 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  7 

I  plunged  over  head  into  a  horse-pond.  I  was 
conscious  of  nothing  more,  till  some  hours  after 
I  woke  as  out  of  a  trance,  lying  upon  my  mo- 
ther's knee. 

My  father,  knowing  no  remedy  for  these  pain- 
ful propensities,  suhmitted  to  them  as  admit- 
ting of  no  cure.  Otherwise  he  was  a  man  of 
amiable  disposition  and  manners,  affectionate 
to  his  acquaintance,  and  faithful  to  his  friends. 

He  possessed  a  large  share  of  original  genius, 
which  he  applied  to  mechanics.  This  engaged 
his  attention  so  as  to  injure  his  circumstances 
by  the  neglect  of  his  business.  Nor  was  it  till 
his  last  sickness  that  he  seriously  considered 
the  importance  of  religion,  and  the  awful  real- 
ities of  eternity.  In  the  painful  retrospect  of 
his  life,  he  found  that  he  had  been  friendly  to 
all,  but  an  enemy  to  himself. 

My  mother  was  a  very  intelligent  and  a 
deeply  pious  woman.  She  was  in  church-fel- 
lowship with  the  Calvinists,  and  experienced 
that  holiness  which  she  had  considered  was  not 
attainable  till  death.  The  Scriptures  were  her 
daily  study,  and  she  could  say,  "  Thy  words 
have  I  hid  in  my  heart !"  She  enjoyed  the 
comfort  of  true  religion,  in  its  present  peace, 
and  its  future  prospects  in  a  better  world. 

It  was  with  growing  concern  that  my  mother 
beheld  my  stubbornness.  She  lamented  that 
she  had  not  begun  early  with  suitable  correc- 
tion. As  I  had  now  been  seven  years  under 
the  sole  control  of  my  capricious  passions,  she 
thought  it  was  too  late  to  use  coercion,  and  re- 


8  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

solved  to  try  to  the  utmost  what  her  instruc- 
tions and  admonitions,  her  prayers  and  example 
would  avail.  Almost  as  soon  as  she  put  lier 
resolution  in  practice,  she  saw  some  fruit  of  her 
labour  ;  and  at  length  she  could  govern  me  by 
a  kind  word,  or  an  affectionate  look.  With 
what  veneration  do  I  remember  her  pious  care ! 

Now  she  began  to  '•  train  up  her  child  in  the 
way  in  which  he  should  go  ;"  and  I  remember 
I  was  very  early  the  subject  of  religious  im- 
pressions. My  understanding  was  enlightened, 
my  conscience  was  awakened,  and  I  felt  the 
drawings  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

I  had  always  been  kept,  as  much  as  possible, 
from  wicked  examples  ;  and  now  I  felt  asto- 
nished when  I  saw  or  heard  the  wickedness  of 
the  wicked.  Hearing  a  carter  swear  at  his 
horses,  I  was  so  affected  that  I  went  home 
weeping,  praying  that  God  would  have  mercy 
upon  him,  and  not  send  him  to  hell. 

My  mother,  perceiving  the  success  of  her  la- 
bours, was  stimulated,  if  possible,  to  greater 
diligence.  At  the  age  of  nine,  she  prevailed 
upon  me  to  keep  a  diary,  in  which  I  wrote  a 
faithful  register  of  every  hour.  When  reading 
what  I  had  written,  I  found  a  pleasure  in  re- 
flecting upon  the  hours  of  my  improvement  ; 
and  I  reviewed  with  equal  shame  the  hours 
spent  in  foolish  plays  and  diversions. 

At  the  age  of  ten  I  was  taught  to  pay  par- 
ticular attention  to  the  sermons  which  I  heard. 
On  the  evening  of  the  Sabbath,  my  mother  did 
not  fail  to  inquire  how  much  I  could  remember 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  9 

of  the  three  discourses  I  had  heard  on  that  day ; 
and  I  found  a  growing  abiUty  to  relate  the  ge- 
neral and  the  particular  divisions,  with  many 
of  the  concluding  inferences. 

I  often  felt  the  Lord  sweetly  drawing  me  to 
secret  prayer.  Believing  it  to  be  a  positive 
duty,  I  engaged  in  it,  and  soon  found  the  ha- 
bitual exercise  of  closet  devotion  to  be  my  de- 
light. I  had  the  testimony  of  a  good  conscience, 
peace  of  mind,  and  I  lived  in  union  with  God. 

If  in  the  course  of  the  day  I  had  unfortunately 
offended  God,  I  did  not  fail  at  night  ingenuously 
to  confess  my  sins,  and  I  often  received  com- 
fort before  I  rose  from  my  knees.  One  night 
my  sense  of  criminality  was  so  great  that  it 
was  with  difficulty  I  could  prevail  upon  myself 
to  bow  my  knees  in  prayer.  While  I  was  pray- 
ing, I  said,  in  the  simplicity  of  my  heart,  "  Lord, 
if  thou  wilt  forgive  me  this  once,  I  will  never 
sin  against  thee  any  more  ;  if  thou  wilt  conde- 
scend to  forgive  me  now,  1  will  never  ask  thee 
to  forgive  me  again.^^  I  continued  to  pray  and 
plead  till  comfort  sprang  up  in  my  heart,  and  I 
got  into  bed  quite  satisfied. 

Now  I  thought  I  must  be  doubly  watchful, 
for  if  I  am  brought  into  bondage  again,  there 
is  no  more  hope  of  mercy.  For  some  time  I 
gave  myself  up  to  reading  and  prayer,  and  to 
continual  watchfulness ;  but  alas  !  in  a  few 
weeks  I  was  suddenly  overcome  with  anger. 
When  I  retired  to  bed,  I  was  alarmed  by  the 
recollection  of  my  rash  vow.  I  durst  not  at- 
tempt to  pray,  but. hurried  into  bed,  covered 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 


myself  overhead  with  the  clothes,  and  did  not 
pray  again  for  many  years. 

Although  I  now  lost  my  union  with  God,  and 
began  to  relax  in  keeping  my  diary,  yet  I  re- 
tained, by  force  of  habit  and  the  restraints  of 
a  religious  education,  the  form  of  religion,  and 
avoided  all  vain  company  ;  and  I  entertained 
a  growing  affection  for  my  parents. 

I  was  of  the  age  of  fourteen,  when  my  father 
became   acquainted  with  the   brutahty  of  Mr 

E n,  my  schoolmaster.     When  I  was  first 

put  under  his  care,  my  fatlier  charged  him  to 
be  sure  to  conquer  me.  He  began  by  frequently 
beating  me  unmercifully  ;  and,  unfortunately, 
we  had  a  controversy  as  long  as  I  continued 
witli  him.  He  often  knocked  me  down,  by  way 
of  experiment,  to  see  if  he  could  make  me  shed 
a  tear.  One  day  my  father  sent  me  an  errand 
in  my  way  to  school,  which  caused  me  to  be 
five  minutes  too  late.  Without  any  inquiry, 
my  master  ordered  me  to  strip  off  my  coat  and 
waistcoat,  and,  having  mounted  me  upon  a 
boy's  back,  he  beat  me  violently,  while  the  boy 
walked  six  tim.es  the  length  of  the  school. 
"  Now,  you  dog,"  said  he,  "  you  will  come  too 
late  to  school  again,  will  you  ?"  "  Yes,  sir," 
I  rejoined,  "  whenever  my  father  sends  me  an 
errand  for  an  ounce  of  snufT  I  will  go." — 
••  Search  his  pockets,"  he  said,  "  and  if  there 
be  no  snuff,  he  shall  undergo  the  same  again." 
My  pockets  being  searched,  an  ounce  of  snuff 
was  found,  and  I  was  liberated. 

Those  pupils  in  our  schoo  who  were  learn. 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  11 

ing  the  languages,  adjourned,  at  staged  times, 
to  Mr.  S.  a  classical  teacher.  I  had  made 
considerable  progress  in  the  Latin  tongue  when 
my  father,  by  some  bruises  upon  me,  became 
acquainted  with  my  treatment  at  school.  He 
resolved,  therefore,  to  remove  me  that  day. 
Mr.  S.  expostulated  with  him,  saying,  if  I  were 
taken  to  business  then,  all  he  had  taught  me 
would  be  lost  ;  but  if  I  were  to  continue  an- 
other year,  he  could  perfect  me  in  the  Latin — 
that  he  had  never  known  a  boy  who  had  made 
an  equal  proficiency  in  the  same  time ;  and 
that  rather  than  I  should  not  prosecute  my  stu- 
dies he  would  teach  me  for  nothing :  but  my 
father  was  inflexible. 

I  continued  with  my  parents  till  I  was  fif- 
teen, when  I  was  placed  an  apprentice  to  a 
razor-maker  in  Sheffield.  Directly  a  new 
scene  presented  itself  to  me.  In  the  work-shop 
I  beheld  sin  in  new  forms,  and  heard  blasphe- 
mies by  new  names.  I  could  perceive  no  fear 
of  God  either  before  men  or  boys.  For  some 
time  I  was  grieved,  yea,  I  was  filled  with  hor- 
ror ;  but,  by  and  by,  their  oaths  and  impreca- 
tions became  familiar  to  my  ears,  and  their 
obscenities  were  less  offensive  to  my  mind. 

I  had  yet  the  benefit  of  my  mother's  warning 
voice,  and  in  this  day  of  trial,  her  admonitions 
ever  sounded  in  my  ears.  Temptations  assailed 
me  in  every  form  ;  but  to  be  branded  as  sin- 
gular was  too  powerful  for  me.  It  was  easy 
for  me  to  trample  upon  their  threatenings  and 
promises  j  but,  being  praycrlcss,  1  could  not 


12  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

resist  the  tide  of  wicked  example  ;  and  I  was 
carried  away  by  the  flood. 

I  had  been  in  this  situation  three  years  when 
my  dear  mother,  ever  to  be  remembered,  sick- 
ened and  died.  I  was  much  affected  with  her 
tranquilhty  of  mind,  in  a  near  view  of  the  eter- 
nal world.  With  what  pleasure  do  I  record 
her  sweetness  of  temper,  enliojhtened  by  a  well- 
informed  mind  !  She  was  wise  for  eternity  by 
the  conscientious  discharge  of  every  duty,  and 
by  seeking  and  obtaining  a  "  meetness  for  the 
inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light."  I  was  with 
her  the  night  before  she  died ;  she  bore  her 
pain  with  Christian  patience  and  fortitude ; 
she  expressed  great  thankfulness  for  the  least 
thing  I  did  for  her  ;  and  she  was  joyful  in  hope 
of  the  glory  of  God.  That  night  she  entered 
into  rest,  in  the  triumph  of  faith.  May  I  meet 
her  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  ! 

It  was  not  till  after  the  death  of  my  mother 
that  I  could  go  to  the  same  lengths  in  sin  as 
my  shopmates.  While  she  lived,  I  was  called 
to  account  for  the  manner  of  spending  all  my 
evenings  and  Sabbaths,  and  by  her  restraints 
I  was  nearly  preserved  from  associating  with 
my  fellow  apprentices  ;  but  now,  by  degrees, 
I  began  to  yield  myself  a  willing  captive  to  the 
fowler's  snares. 

My  soul  recoils  at  the  recollection  of  my 
manner  of  life  the  latter  part  of  my  apprentice- 
ship. Without  any  disposition  to  contend  or 
quarrel,  I  was  frequently  embroiled  in  fightings 
with  others.     Naturally  bold  and  courageous, 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  13 

I  was  a  stranger  to  fear.  Having  a  high  sense 
of  honour,  I  not  only  hated  every  thing  that 
was  low  and  mean  in  myself,  but  I  was  desirous 
of  correcting  the  want  of  it  in  others.  It  was 
this  which  made  me  defend  the  weak  and  op. 
pressed  in  every  company.  Being  always  vie 
torious,  in  a  short  time,  and  without  any  de- 
sign, I  became  the  champion  of  Sheffield. 

In  whatever  game  or  exercise  I  engaged,  I 
always  performed  it  in  the  best  manner  I  pos- 
sibly could.  I  thereby  acquired  a  habit  of  ex- 
celling  all  with  v/liom  I  associated.  I  would 
not  suffer  too  great  a  familiarity  from  any  of 
my  comrades,  and  always  maintained  a  strict 
probity  of  character,  being  punctual  to  my  ap- 
pointments, and  faithful  to  my  promises.  This 
insured  a  due  respect  from  all.  O  !  how  I 
was  murdering  my  time,  and  prostituting  my 
talents  ;  the  wilHng  captive  of  sin,  and  slave 
of  Satan — of  all  these  former  things  I  am  truly 
ashamed. 

I  often  indulged  a  disposition  to  contrive  a 
secret  train  of  circumstances  which  should  re- 
sult in  merriment,  though  at  the  expense  of 
some  present.  I  several  times  appeared  to  be 
drowning,  to  the  great  consternation  of  the 
spectators,  and  then  laughed  at  them.  One 
day  I  climbed  into  a  tree,  and,  as  if  by  acK^i- 
dent,  fell  from  it  into  the  river,  and  struggled 
in  the  water  as  one  drowning,  while  the  by- 
standers  were  kindly  contriving  how  to  snatch 
me  from  a  watery  grave.  At  another  time, 
being  naked,  I  was  just  going  to  bathe  in  a 


14  LIFE    OF   LOXGDEN. 

deep  part  of  the  river,  when  a  man  passing  by, 
I  asked  him  if  I  might  walk  in  and  bathe  with 
safety.  "  No,"  said  he,  "  if  thou  dost  thou  wilt 
be  drowned."  I  replied,  "  Are  you  not  mis- 
taken ?  I  think  I  have  bathed  here  before ;" 
and  without  waiting  for  an  answer,  I  plunged 
in,  and  began  to  tread  the  water  ;  then  gave 
shriek,  and  sunk.  When  I  came  up  again,  the 
man  was  screaming  and  stamping  in  an  agony. 
I  repeated  this  twice,  and  v.hen  I  came  up  the 
third  time,  I  burst  into  laughter  at  him,  su  ara 
away,  and  left  him  to  cool  off  his  perturbation. 
Who  will  not  subscribe  with  me,  "  he  willeth 
not  the  death  of  a  sinner,"  while  reading  the 
following  circumstance?  When  I  was  about 
nineteen  years  of  age,  one  of  my  companions 
proposed  to  go  to  Attercliffe  feast  the  following 
Sabbath  afternoon.  We  went  accordingly, 
and  proposed  to  drink  pure  spirits.  In  a  short 
time  a  few  of  us  drank  five  pints  of  gin.  I 
was  surprised  to  find  it  had  no  intoxicating 
effect  upon  me  ;  but  soon  after,  as  we  were  re- 
turning home,  I  fell  senseless  as  a  dead  man  ! 
A  person  just  then  passing  by,  who  knew  me, 
when  he  had  inquired  into  my  situation,  took 
me  into  his  arms  and  shook  me  violently,  which 
caused  a  profuse  vomiting.  My  poor  widowed 
father  was  sent  for,  and  I  was  put  to  bed  in  a 
neighbouring  house.  I  continued  in  a  state 
of  insensibility  sixteen  hours  :  when  I  awoke 
I  was  in  a  high  fever ;  my  tongue  and  throat 
parched  with  thirst,  and  the  room  apparently 
running  around.     It  was  some  weeks  before  I 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  15 

fully  recovered  my  health.  I  have  often,  with 
tears  of  gratitude,  remembered  this  hair-breadth 
escape  from  death  and  destruction  ! 

Being  solicited  to  abscond  from  my  servi- 
tude,  by  a  comrade  who  had  differed  with  his 
master,  I  told  him  I  would  set  out  for  London 
that  night,  if  he  was  sincere  and  willing,  to 
which  he  agreed.  I  secretly  revolted,  but  I  had 
plighted  my  word.  We  accordingly  packed  up 
some  clothes,  and  precipitately  left  our  homes 
that  night,  and  got  to  Nottingham  next  day. 
In  our  hasty  retreat  we  had  only  brought  one 
shilling,  which  we  spent  in  the  morning.  We 
consulted  what  was  best  to  be  done  ;  for  to  re- 
turn home  would  be  cowardly.  We  therefore 
offered  ourselves  to  a  recruiting  party  of  gun- 
ners, and  enlisted  for  soldiers.  I  requested  to 
be  sent  off  immediately  to  a  distant  place,  lest 
my  friends  should  find  me  and  take  me  back 
again,  but  I  was  refused. 

The  day  after,  as  I  sat  with  a  party  of  sol- 
diers, to  my  great  astonishment  my  father  ap- 
peared !  The  following  is  the  conversation 
which  passed  between  us,  as  nearly  as  I  can 
recollect :  and  I  will  here  remark,  that  the 
taunting,  irreverent  replies  which  I  made  con- 
tinue to  sting  me,  and  have  cost  mo  many 
tears ! 

Father.  Well,  sir,  you  are  in  pretty  company. 

Son.  Yes,  sir,  I  am  in  such  company  as  I 
approve. 

Father.  Don't  you  intend  to  go  home  with 
me,  sir  1 


16  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 

So7i.  No,  sir,  I  intend  to  see  home  no  more  : 
I  am  resolved  to  see  the  world,  and  I  have  cho- 
sen  the  profession  of  a  soldier,  with  the  inten- 
tion  of  making  my  fortune. 

Father.  You  are  my  property  and  my  pri- 
soner, and  I  will  have  you  handcuffed,  tied 
upon  my  horse,  and  sent  home  in  disgrace. 

Son.  If  you  will  sulfer  me  to  ride  all  the  way, 
I  will  return  home  with  you,  for  my  feet  are 
rather  sore  with  walking  here. 

The  good  man  was  quite  at  a  loss  what  to  do, 
and  sat  down  in  silence.  Presently  he  gave 
me  a  look  of  tenderness,  and,  walking  out,  said, 
"  I  want  to  speak  to  thee."  My  hardened 
heart  could  not  deny  so  small  a  request,  and  I 
followed  him.  When  we  were  alone,  he  pro- 
ceeded thus  : — 

Father.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  account  for  this 
kind  of  behaviour  ;  thou  hast  always  been  duti- 
ful  to  me,  and  I  do  not  recollect  ever  denying 
thee  any  request :  thy  master  and  mistress  also 
give  thee  an  excellent  character. 

Son.  You  have  always  been  a  most  indulgent 
parent. 

Father.  Art  thou  dissatisfied  with  thymaster, 
or  employment,  or  any  other  thing  ? 

Son.  No. 

Now  my  father  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears, 
and  said,  '•  Why  wilt  thou  bring  thy  father  in 
gray  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave  ?  I  have 
loved  thee,  and  always  thought  thou  wouldst 
have  been  the  comfort  of  my  old  age.  Thy 
mother  is  gone !  and  wilt  thou  go  also  ?"  Here 


LIFE   OF  LONGDEN.  17 

he  touched  a  lender  string,  and  I  could  not  for 
my  Hfe  refrain  from  weeping  also ;  the  spirit  of 
the  soldier  and  hero  tbrsook  me,  and  I  in- 
stantly said,  *'  My  father,  do  not  grieve,  and  I 
will  go  with  you  wherever  you  please  ;  and,  in 
future,  will  endeavour  to  make  amends  for  the 
grief  I  have  wickedly  caused  you."  We  re- 
turned into  the  house,  and  after  liberating  me 
from  my  engagements  with  the  soldiers,  he  took 
me  to  his  inn  ;  and  the  next  day  we  arrived  in 
Sheffield.  This  merciful  deliverance  from  a 
life  of  v/arfare  had  no  lasting  good  effect  upon 
m.y  mind.  My  companions  looked  upon  the 
whole  as  a  youthful  frolic,  and  I  was  the  more 
esteemed  and  caressed  by  them  as  a  man  of 
spirit. 

My  master  and  mistress  were  the  reverse  of 
each  other  in  their  tempers  and  dispositions. 
He  was  mild  and  paciiic,  dispassionate  and  so- 
ber ;  but  she  would  alike  disgust  by  her  over- 
kindness  or  brutishness — ever  contriving  unne- 
cessary rewards  or  satiating  her  malice  by  re- 
venge. At  these  times  my  master  sought  qui- 
etness from  home,  and  often  v/ould  not  return 
till  two  or  three  o'clock  in  the  morning.  It 
remained  a  myster)'^  how  he  gained  admission 
into  his  own  house,  for  he  was  always  carefully 
locked  out.  The  truth  was,  I  used  to  sit  up  in 
my  room  till  all  the  family  were  asleep,  and 
then  return  to  the  kitchen  fire  till  my  master 
gently  tapped  at  the  door,  when  I  was  ready  to 
open  it. 

One  night  my  mistress  resolved,  if  possible, 
3 


18  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

to  prevent  my  master  gaining  admission  into 
the  house  as  usual.     She  took  the  keys  out  of 
the  locks  and  then  carefully  secreted  them ; 
afterwards  I  heard  her  cautiously  creeping  up 
to  my  lodging  room,  to  examine  if  all  was  right 
there.     I   leaped  into  bed,  and  nearly  covered 
myself,  closed  my  eyes,  and  opened  my  mouth, 
and  was  very  busy  snoring  when  she  arrived  : 
having  looked  at  me,  she  turned  about  and  said, 
"  O  !   I  see  you   are  safe."     To  avoid  waiting 
till  she  was  asleep,  as  usual,  I  followed  her  so 
close  as  to  be  able  to  pass  by  her  door  just  as 
she  was  shutting  it.      She  heard  a  creaking, 
opened  the  door,  and  catching  a  glance  of  some- 
thing, she  pursued  as  quickly  as  she  was  able. 
There  was  no  alternative,  so  I  leaped  into  the 
brewing  copper,  which  had  some  water  in  it, 
and  was  just  composed  when  she  arrived.     1 
believe  she  looked  everywhere  but  in  the  right 
place  :  finding  nothing,  she  felt  alarmed,  and, 
believing  it  to   be  something  supernatural,  she 
hastened  to  bed.    As  soon  as  I  thought  she  was 
settled,  I  ventured  to  leave  my  cold  retreat,  and 
dried  myself  by  the  kitchen  fire.     At  two  my 
master  tapped  at  the  door.     I  had  already  un- 
screwed the  lock  with  a  knife,  and  I  admitted 
him,  to  his  great  satisfaction  :  I  then  screwed 
the  lock  on  again  and  went  to  bed. 

In  the  morning  there  was  a  grand  consulta- 
tion how  my  master  had  got  into  the  house,  as 
the  keys  were  taken  away  the  night  before. 
1  told  them  it  was  possible  he  might  have  a 
key,  and  when  our  key  was  taken  away,  no- 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  19 

thing  was  more  easy  than  to  gain  admission  : 
but  that  when  our  keys  were  left  in  the  locks, 
it  must  give  him  much  trouble  to  get  them  out 
before  he  could  introduce  his  own  key  to  open 
the  door.  "  O  then,"  said  my  mistress,  "  I  will 
take  care  in  future  always  to  leave  the  key  in 
the  lock  !"  She  did  so,  and  saved  me  some 
trouble. 

One  day  I  caught  hold  of  my  mistress's  up- 
lifted arm,  when,  in  a  frenzy  of  passion,  she 
was  about  to  strike  a  fellow  apprentice  with  a 
heavy  kitchen  poker.  I  remonstrated  with  her 
sharply  on  the  consequences  w^hich  must  have 
followed  had  I  not  providentially  prevented  her 
design.  Her  husband  just  then  coming  in,  she 
cried  out  to  him,  "  O,  this  Longden  is  such  a 
lad  !"  "  What  has  he  done  amiss,"  said  my 
master,  "  and  he  shall  be  punished  ?"  "  O !  he 
is  such  a  lad  !"  she  said.  "  Do  tell  me  then 
what  he  has  done  !''  added  my  master.  "  Why," 
she  said,  "  he  has  just  saved  me  from  being 
hanged  !"  To  show  her  gratitude,  I  had  as 
much  fruit  pie  and  ale,  for  a  fortnight,  as  I 
pleased  ;  but,  unfortunately,  one  of  us  then  hap- 
pening to  displease  her,  we  had  hot  broth  and 
cold  beef  for  as  long  a  period. 

Much  as  my  master  and  mistress  differed  in 
other  respects,  in  this  they  agreed — they  were 
without  God  in  the  world. 

In  the  last  week  of  my  apprenticeship,  in  the 
afternoon,  being  accused  of  idleness,  I  instantly 
stripped  and  began  to  work,  and  did  not  cease 
till,  in  twenty-four  hours,  I  had  begun  and  com- 


20  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

pleted  a  fall  week's  work.  This  activity  at 
work  caused  me  to  abound  too  much  in  money  : 
but  it  was  well  known  I  kept  a  public  purse, 
and  shared  my  bounties  among  my  more  neces- 
sitous companions. 

Thus  have  I  gone  through  the  course  of  my 
apprenticeship,  faithfully  narrating  the  wicked 
practices  which  were  then  my  boast  and  glory- 
ing. I  would,  however,  during  this  time,  de- 
fend Ciiristian  professors  and  religious  conduct 
upon  every  occasion.  I  often  regret  that  I  was 
not  under  greater  moral  restrictions  in  my  ap- 
prenticeship. With  what  a  tender  conscience 
did  I  leave  my  parental  roof!  And  who  can 
tell  what  evil  might  have  been  prevented,  and 
what  good  might  have  resulted,  liad  I  been 
placed  in  a  religious  family  !  What  a  polluted 
stain  upon  my  life  was  the  course  of  those  years ! 
Many  of  my  companions  died  as  they  lived. 
Why  did  not  I  destroy  my  life  and  plunge  into 
hell  ?  Doubtless,  because  there  were  many  ar- 
dent prayers  recorded  in  heaven,  offered  by  a 
pious  mother,  which  remained  to  be  answered 
upon  earth.  The  fervent  inwrought  prayers 
of  a  righteous  person  avail  much — they  cannot 
fall  to  the  ground  unanswered. 

Being  now  of  full  age,  I  sat  down  seriously 
to  consider  the  course  of  my  future  life.  To 
continue  in  the  business  I  had  learnt  would 
have  been  the  most  profitable  ;  but  when  I  re- 
collected the  age  and  growing  infirmities  of 
my  father,  and  the  gratitude  and  aflection  which 
I  owed  liim  as  a  son,  I  resolved  to  otfer  liim  ray 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  21 

services  to  conduct  and  manage  his  business. 
He  accepted  my  offer  with  readiness  and  great 
affection. 

I  began  my  new  employment  with  unspeak- 
able satisfaction,  from  the  recollection  that  my 
father  was  freed  from  all  worldly  care  and  duty : 
determining  that  while  he  lived  he  should  be 
supplied  with  every  possible  comfort.  And  O ! 
had  I  then  experienced  the  power  of  religion, 
I  am  persuaded  that  he  would  not  long  have 
remained  a  stranger  to  it. 

It  evidently  appeared  that  my  father  began 
to  sink  apace  under  many  infirmities.  A  friend 
called  upon  him,  and  told  him  there  was  a  phy- 
sician near  fifty  miles  off  who  was  noted  for 
the  cure  of  his  complaint.     Not  being  able  to 
hire  a  horse  that  night,  I  resolved  without  de- 
lay to  set  out  on  foot  early  the  next  morning. 
I  arrived  at  a  village  within  four  miles  of  the 
place  at  seven  in  the  evening.     It  was  quite 
dark,  and  I  had  a  large  trackless  common  to 
go  over  :  I  sought  a  guide  in  vain,  and  turned 
out  upon  the  heath  alone,  with   not  a  star  to 
light  my  way.     After  I  had  walked  some  time, 
I  saw  a  glimmering  light   near  me,  and  upon 
inquiry,  to  my  astonishment,  found  myself  safe 
in  the  village  which  I  had  almost  despaired  to 
find  !     I  saw  the  doctor  that  night,  who  thought 
he  could  be  of  some  service.     I  returned  joy- 
fully with  his  prescriptions,  and  reached  home 
the  next  night  in  safety.     The  medicines  con- 
siderably alleviated  my  father's  pain,  but  they 
had  not  the  sovereign  power  to  cure. 


22  LIFE    OF    LONGDEX. 

By  unremitting  industry,  I  soon  found  my 
father's  trade  to  increase  and  prosper  ;  and  I 
look  back  upon  the  last  year  of  my  father's  life 
which  I  spent  with  him  in  this  manner  with 
pleasing  recollection.  The  hoary  rugged  path 
of  declining  life  was  smoothed,  and  his  afflic- 
tions in  some  measure  were  beguiled. 

Carnal  as  I  was,  I  began  to  feel  some  con- 
cern for  my  father's  salvation  ;  and  one  day  I 
took  the  liberty  to  ask  him  the  state  of  his  mind 
towards  God.  I  found  he  was  in  uncertainty 
and  darkness  ;  and  through  the  Antinomian 
error  he  was,  without  effort,  leaving  his  final 
state  to  the  unconditional  and  eternal  election 
or  reprobation  of  God.  I  gave  him  the  best 
advice  of  which  I  was  capable,  and  begged  he 
would  permit  me  to  pray  with  him  :  he  con- 
sented, and  when  we  rose  from  our  knees  we 
were  both  much  affected. 

Ever  after  this,  his  views  relative  to  the  me- 
thod of  salvation  were  altered,  and  he  became 
a  man  of  prayer.  Some  lovely  young  men  (of 
whom  I  have  presently  to  speak)  visited  him  : 
and  although  he  gave  no  satisfactory  testimony 
of  the  remission  of  his  sins,  yet  there  was  full 
evidence  of  his  sincerity  and  godly  sorrow.  I 
must  leave  this  to  the  righteous  decision  of  the 
Judge  before  his  dread  tribunal. 

About  six  weeks  before  the  death  of  my  fa- 
ther, I  entered  into  the  marriage  state.  The 
circumstances  were  as  follows.  As  I  was  one 
evening  walking  into  the  country,  I  met  two 
young  women  :  as  soon  as  I  had  passed  them  I 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  23 

found  an  involuntary  and  unaccountable  regard 
for  one  of  them — a  regard  which  I  had  never 
felt  for  any  other  person.  I  paused  a  while,  and 
would  have  followed  them,  but  durst  not,  for  fear 
of  giving  offence.  I  often  sought  her  after- 
wards, but  in  vain,  for  I  had  not  any  reference 
or  means  of  inquiring  after  her  or  her  friends. 

Some  months  afterwards,  my  sister  told  me 
she  had  invited  a  few  female  friends  to  tea,  and 
she  hoped  I  should  make  it  convenient  to  be 
with  them  ;  to  which  I  consented.  What  was 
my  astonishment  when  I  beheld  her  whom  I 
had  sought  so  diligently  !  After  mature  consi- 
deration I  offered  myself  as  sacred  to  her,  and 
some  time  after  we  were  united  in  the  bonds  of 
holy  matrimony  :  for  which  union  I  shall  have 
cause  to  praise  God  in  time  and  eternity. 

I  soon  found  that,  although  my  earthly  wishes 
were  consummated,  I  was  not  essentially  and 
permanently  happy.  I  was  an  enigma  to  my- 
self. I  felt  in  my  soul  a  painful  void.  Vanity 
and  disappointment  were  written  upon  all  things. 
What  to  do,  or  whither  to  turn,  I  did  not  know. 
A  voice  from  within  frequently  said,  God  is  the 
fountain  of  happiness  ;  the  ways  of  religion  are 
ways  of  pleasantness  and  peace  !  But  I  was  a 
stranger  to  the  voice  of  God,  never  having  at- 
tempted to  pray  for  myself  after  that  rash  vow- 
before  mentioned,  and  I  seemed  to  be  cut  off* 
from  the  great  fountain  of  happiness. 

I  was  pondering  these  things  in  my  heart  at 
a  time  when  two  of  our  neighbours  were  ill  of 
a,  decline.     There  were  some  pious  young  men 


24  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

(mentioned  before)  whose  uniform  practice  it 
was  to  visit  the  sick  wherever  they  heard  of 
them.  Accordingly  they  came  to  our  village, 
adjacent  to  the  town,  and  oflered  their  instruc- 
tions and  prayer.  One  of  the  sick  persons  po- 
sitively rejected  them,  with  expressions  of  indig- 
nation and  contempt :  he  died  a  few  weeks 
afterwards,  and  he  made  the  most  awful  end  I 
ever  witnessed.  He  appeared  tilled  with  dread 
and  horror  ;  bis  cries,  his  groans,  his  looks, 
were  enough  to  shake  the  most  infidel  princi- 
ples and  conduct.  The  other  of  these  gladly 
received  the  service  of  the  visiters,  and  by  their 
happy  instrumentality  received  a  clear  sense 
of  the  forgiveness  of  his  sins,  and  was  filled 
with  the  love  of  God. 

I  was  exceedingly  surprised,  when  I  called 
upon  him,  to  hear  his  joyful  and  blessed  testi- 
mony. I  resolved  to  watch  him  attentively  in 
his  affliction  and  death,  to  prove,  if  possible, 
the  reality  of  his  professions,  to  ascertain  the 
possibility  of  a  knowledge  of  pardon,  and  to  see 
the  excellence  of  religion  as  exemplified  in  his 
uniform  faith  and  his  triumph  in  death  ;  if 
these  things  were  true,  it  would  be  an  import- 
ant point  gained  in  my  search  for  happiness. 
Accordingly  I  visited  him  several  times  in  a 
day,  and  often  sat  up  with  him  all  night.  My 
utmost  wishes  were  gratified ;  I  did  see  him  die, 
and  heard  him,  with  his  latest  breath,  witness  a 
good  confession.  When  I  saw  his  patience 
under  suffering,  his  calm  resignation  to  die, 
and  his  confident  hope  of  a  glorious  resurrec- 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  25 

tion,  tonrether  with  the  animating  joy  which 
beamed  in  his  countenance  when  singing  songs 
of  praise  to  God  for  his  late  and  ahiiost  mira- 
culous deliverance,  I  burst  into  tears,  and  said, 
"  O  how  I  envy  your  situation  !  could  I  but 
die  like  you,  with  this  heavenly  peace,  and  love, 
and  joy  !"  "  My  friend,"  he  said,  "  God  can 
save  you  as  well  as  me  ;  he  is  not  willing  that 
any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  come  to 
a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  be  saved.  I  my- 
self am  one  of  the  greatest  sinners  out  of  hell, 
and  the  Lord  has  had  mercy  upon  me,  even 
upon  my  death-bed."  He  then  raised  his  hand 
and  said,  with  solemnity  of  voice,  "  My  friend, 
I  know  that  God  will  have  mercy  upon  you  ; 
he  will  pardon  all  your  sins,  yea,  he  will  make 
you  insirumental  of  good  to  thousands ;  and 
then,  after  a  season,  we  shall  meet  above,  to 
praise  God  for  ever  and  ever."  "  The  Method- 
ists," he  added,  "  under  God,  have  been  instru- 
mental of  my  conversion."  He  then  pressed 
me  to  hear  their  preachers,  and  recommended 
me  to  obtain  an  acquaintance  with  a  class- 
leader  whom  he  named. 

Thus  I  became  decided  and  fixed  in  my  judg- 
ment, and  in  my  choice  of  religion  as  the  one 
thing  needful,  by  being  providentially  an  eye- 
witness of  the  awful  death  of  a  sinner  and  the 
happy  exit  of  a  saint  of  God.  I  was  ready  to 
inquire.  How  may  I  escape  the  damnation  of 
hell  ?  how  may  I  secure  the  salvation  of  my 
soul  ? 

The  remains  of  my  dear  departed  friend, 


S6  LIFE    OF   LONGDEX. 

Samuel  Earnshaw,  were  interred  on  a  Sabbath 
day.  As  soon  as  the  funeral  ceremony  was 
over,  the  young  men  who  had  visited  him  came 
to  me,  and  gave  me  a  kind  invitation  to  go 
with  them  to  hear  preaching,  which  I  gladly 
accepted. 

It  was  the  first  time  I  was  ever  in  a  Method- 
ist chapel,  and  I  was  much  struck  with  what  I 
saw  and  heard.  The  preacher,  Mr.  John  Pea- 
cock, was  a  plain  man,  without  any  parade. 
His  deportment  was  solemn,  without  affecta- 
tion ;  his  prayer  was  simple,  but  it  opened  hea- 
ven ;  his  preaching  was  unadorned,  but  mighty 
by  the  power  of  God.  He  felt  what  he  said, 
and  he  could  not  restrain  tears  from  running 
down  his  cheeks.  I  observed  the  congregation 
were  often  in  tears  also.  The  men  sung  with 
all  their  hearts,  and  the  women  sweetly  sung 
the  repeats  alone  ;  the  men  sat  on  one  side, 
and  the  women  on  the  other.  I  thought,  Wher^ 
am  I  ? — This  worship  is  pure,  simple,  and  spi- 
ritual ;  nor  did  I  think  there  had  been  a  people 
•feo  primitive  and  apostolical  upon  earth.  In 
the  fulness  of  my  heart  I  said,  "  This  people 
shall  be  my  people,  and  their  God  shall  be  my 
God  for  ever." 

Upon  reflection  I  saw  nothing  was  so  rea- 
sonable as  the  service  of  God  ;  I  viewed  him  as 
my  benefactor,  my  great  original  and  end.  I 
saw  I  was  brought  into  being  to  be  hapj)y  for 
ever  in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  God,  and  m 
obedience  to  his  commandments.  I  stated  the 
views  I  had  received,  and  the  resolutions  I  had 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 


formed,  to  my  old  companions  in  sin  ;  and  told 
them  I  should  be  glad  if  they  would  join  me  in 
the  service  of  God  ;  but  if  not,  I  wished  a  total 
separation.  In  this  I  continued  firm  and  reso- 
lute, while  they  waited  for  my  halting,  laying 
every  possible  snare  to  entangle. 

I  acquainted  my  dear  v.ife  and  my  sister 
(who  resided  with  us)  with  the  nature  of  my 
experience.  I  instituted  prayer  and  the  read- 
ing the  Scriptures  in  my  family  ;  I  took  them 
with  me  to  the  house  of  God  ;  and  it  was  evi- 
dent that  by  an  attentive  hearing  of  preaching, 
a  genuine  work  of  grace  was  soon  begun  upon 
each  of  their  souls. 

Already  I  was  convinced  of  the  folly  of  mak- 
ing the  rash  vow  which  I  had  formerly  made, 
and  of  the  sin  of  keeping  it,  by  the  total  neglect 
of  prayer.  I  began  to  pray  in  secret  as  well 
as  in  my  family.  This,  as  well  as  the  exercise 
of  every  other  known  duty,  was  pleasant  to  me ; 
for  I  had  yet  felt  no  other  workings  but  the 
first  precious  drawings  of  the  Spirit. 

With  these  views  of  myself  as  a  reformed 
character,  and  consequently  a  very  good  Chris- 
tian,  I  went  to  a  Methodist  class-meeting.  But 
before  I  dared  to  attend  one  of  these  social 
meetings,  I  called  upon  the  person  recommended 
to  me  by  my  deceased  friend,  and  addressed 
h'lm  as  follows  :  "  Sir,  I  have  taken  the  liberty 
of  calling  upon  you  to  converse  with  you  on 
the  subject  of  religion."  "  I  am  glad  to  see 
you,"  he  replied ;  "  do  sit  down."  '•  Sir,"  I 
continued,  "  I  have  lately  been  in  the  habit  of 


28  LIFE    OF    LOXGDEN'. 

hearing  your  preachers,  and  they  positively 
declare  that  a  man  may  know  that  his  sins  are 
forgiven  him  in  this  world."  He  answered  in 
the  affirmative.  "  And,  sir,"  I  added,  "  do 
you  know  that  your  sins  are  forgiven  ?"  He 
now  looked  seriously  at  me,  and  said,  "I  thank 
God,  through  Jesus  Christ,  I  do  know  my  sins 
are  forgiven."  I  said,  "  Pray,  sir,  by  what 
means,  or  how,  do  you  know  your  sins  are  for- 
given ?  is  it  not  possible  for  you  to  be  deceived?" 
"  Young  man,"  he  answered,  "  if  I  were  to  give 
you  a  Scriptural  answer,  I  should  say,  '  We 
know  the  things  which  are  freely  given  us  of 
God  by  the  Spirit  which  he  hath  given  us  ; 
and  the  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness  with  our 
spirit  that  we  are  the  sons  of  God  ;'  but  you 
v^'ould  not  understand  this  language :  I  will, 
therefore,  tell  you  my  experience,  informing 
you  how  I  was  both  awakened  and  converted." 
The  good  man  proceeded  familiarly  to  declare 
his  experience  : — but  the  veil  was  on  my  heart ; 
I  could  not  understand  him.  He  invited  me, 
however,  to  his  class,  and  I  became  a  member 
of  society  from  that  time. 

My  class-leader  spoke  to  me  in  such  lan- 
guage as  the  following: — "  Before  we  are  made 
saints  we  must  be  conscious  we  are  sinners  ; 
you  appear  to  be  without  a  discovery  of  the 
malignity  and  danger  of  sin,  or  a  s6nse  of  the 
mercy  of  God :  he  pardoneth  all  those  who  truly 
repent  and  believe  in  his  Son  for  salvation.  I 
would  seriously  recom.mend  50U  to  pray  ear- 
nestly to  God  to  give  you  a  sense  of  tlie  burden 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  29 

of  your  sins."  I  promised  to  conform  to  his 
instructions,  though  I  knev/  not  what  he  meant ; 
for  I  found  much  comfort  in  attending  all  the 
means  of  grace,  and  could  rejoice  at  the  change 
which  God  had  evidently  wrought  in  me. 

In  answer  to  these  prayers,  I  awoke  one 
morning  with  an  afflictive  sight  of  myself.  I 
beheld  myself  a  wretched  being,  fallen  from 
God,  far  from  the  way  of  peace.  I  saw  the 
tenor  of  my  life  had  been  an  act  of  daring  con- 
tempt of  the  majesty  of  heaven,  and  myself  an 
enemy  to  God ;  that  I  had  transgressed  his 
righteous  laws,  and  was  a  rebel  against  his 
throne  !  I  leaped  out  of  bed,  and  for  a  season 
attempted  to  dress  myself  in  vain.  ?»iy  spirit 
was  in  sore  amazement,  the  wrath  of  God  lay 
heavy  upon  me,  and  my  sins,  which  I  had  for- 
gotten, now  passed  in  array  before  me. 

I  longed  to  unbosom  myself  to  my  class- 
leader,  hoping  to  find  some  alleviation  from  his 
sympathy.  I  accordingly  called  upon  him  that 
day,  and  with  many  tears  described  to  him  the 
sorrows  of  a  v/ounded  spirit.  I  was  much  dis- 
appointed to  observe  him  and  his  wife  smiling 
at  each  other  during  my  narration.  When  I 
had  ended  my  account,  he  said, — "  This  is  the 
Lord's  work  upon  your  soul ;  you  must  of  ne- 
cessity have  repentance  towards  God  before  you 
can  exercise  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
Remember,  God  has  pronounced  the  mourners 
blessed,  in  the  prospect  of  certain  deliverance; 
for  the  lip  of  truth  hath  said,  '  They  shall  be 
comforted,'   therefore,  we  are  glud  and  rejoice 


30  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 

over  you."  He  recommended  me  to  give  my. 
self  much  to  prayer,  to  plead  in  faith  the  pro- 
mises of  pardon,  which  are  all  "  yea  and  amen 
in  Christ  Jesus;"  and  he  assured  me  I  should 
soon  rejoice  in  a  manifestation  of  the  love  of 
God. 

My  life  became  a  life  of  prayer  :  so  far  I  was 
obedient  ;  but  the  subject  of  my  prayer  was 
contrary  to  the  instructions  I  had  received.  I 
prayed  for  clearer  light  and  more  powerful  con- 
victions ;  and  I  received  an  answer  :  ''  The 
sorrows  of  hell  got  hold  of  me." 

When  I  dared  to  lie  down  in  bed,  I  kept 
awake  as  long  as  I  could,  lest,  sleeping,  the 
righteous  judge  should  close  my  eyes  in  death, 
and  I,  banished  "to  my  own  place,"  should 
awake  in  everlasting  torments.  My  dreams 
were  composed  of  ghastly  phantoms,  and  I 
awoke  but  to  an  invigorated  sense  of  my  wretch- 
edness. I  fasted  and  prayed,  but  the  heavens 
were  as  brass  to  my  prayers.  My  flesh  began 
to  waste,  and  my  strength  was  so  decayed,  that 
I  was  no  longer  able  to  attend  to  my  secular 
calling.  My  knees  were  not  able  to  bear  the 
weight  of  my  body,  so  that  generally  in  prayer 
I  lay  extended  on  the  ground  ;  and  when  my 
voice  failed  me,  I  groaned  my  wants  and  mise- 
ries into  the  ear  of  God.  My  despair  and 
agony  were  such,  one  night,  that  I  said,  "O 
righteous  God,  if  thou  canst  not  consistently 
with  thy  justice  save  such  a  wretch  as  I  am, 
bring  the  matter  to  an  issue  ;  and  to  all  eternity 
I  will  acknowledge  thy  dread  sovereignty  and 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  31 

righteousness;  for  I  have  destroyed  myself! 
But  O  !  if  thy  love  and  pity  can  stoop  so  low, 
save  me  from  this  hour  !" — But  there  was  no 
answer. 

Some  friends  (so  called)  expostulated  with 
me,  saying  "  I  took  things  too  high  by  laying 
them  too  much  to  heart ;  that  I  should  certainly 
kill  myself,  or  lose  my  reason,  if  I  did  not  relax 
a  little  ;  that,  '  It  is  good  for  a  man  both  to 
hope  and  patiently  to  wait  for  the  salvation  of 
God  ;'  and  that,  if  I  would  be  quiet  and  still, 
the  Lord  would  in  due  time  deliver  me."  My 
soul  abhorred  such  counsel,  and  I  fully  deter- 
mmed,  ,,  j^  j  ^^,^^  ^^^^  ^,^g  ^^^^.^^  ^^^^^ 
I'll  perish  crying  out  for  God." 

When  I  was  thus  earnestly  seeking  the  Lord, 
a  circumstance  occurred,  which,  instead  of 
proving  a  blessing,  tended  greatly  to  discourage 
me.  A  strange  family  coming  to  reside  in  our 
neighbourhood,  I  made  free  to  call  to  converse 
with  them  about  religion.  After  some  intro- 
ductory remarks,  I  told  them  I  was  a  Metho- 
dist, that  I  feared  God,  and  that  I  had  lately 
begun  to  inquire  the  way  to  heaven  ;  that  I 
and  my  family  wished  them  well,  and  should 
be  glad  to  afford  them  every  office  of  kindness 
in  our  power  ;  but  if  they  were  not  like-minded 
with  reference  to  the  salvation  of  their  souls, 
we  could  not  have  any  familiarity  or  acquaint- 
ance with  them,  for  the  friendship  of  the  world 
was  enmity  against  God.  The  man,  with 
pleasing,  astonishment,  replied,  "  You  are  just 
the  sort  of  person  I  wanted ;  I  have  had  a  de- 


S3  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

feire  to  serve  God  some  time,  but  I  did  not  know 
how  ;  and  if  you  will  instruct  me  I  shall  be 
very  thankful."  We  took  both  him  and  his 
wife  to  our  chapel  in  Mulberry-street,  and  they 
heard  the  word  with  gladness.  The  unadorned 
and  powerful  sermons  of  our  preachers  were 
soon  instrumental  to  their  thorough  awaken- 
ing. About  a  month  after  this  I  was  awa- 
kened at  midnight,  and  found  my  neighbour 
knocking  loudly  at  the  door,  and  he  said  he 
must  speak  to  me.  When  I  came  down  and 
opened  the  door,  he  caught  me  in  his  arms  ; 
filled  with  joy  and  rapture,  he  began  to  praise 
the  Lord  for  pardoning  all  his  sins.  I  was  ex- 
ceedingly hurt  with  his  testimony — it  was  too 
powerful  for  my  feelings  to  think  he  was  made 
happy  before  myself,  who  had  been  seeking  for- 
giveness so  much  longer  than  he  had.  He  met 
with  a  very  improper  reception,  and  it  was 
well  I  did  not  put  him  out  of  the  house.  "Jo- 
seph,"  said  I,  "  you  may,  perhaps,  be  as  happy 
as  you  appear  to  be,  but  you  will  do  well  to 
give  full  evidence  of  it  by  your  conduct  ;  only 
take  this  with  you — '  Let  not  him  that  putteth 
on  the  harness  boast  as  he  that  putteth  it  off.'  " 
When  I  had  so  said,  without  any  reply  he 
meekly  turned  and  went  away  ;  and  I,  yet 
wretched  and  forlorn,  spent  the  remaining  part 
of  the  night  sighing,  groaning,  and  weeping. 

My  deliverance  was  brought  about  in  the 
following  manner  ;  and  O  that  every  humble 
penitent  could  hear  it !  After  I  had  fasted  and 
prayed  in  vain  for  three  months,  one  of  the 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  53 

brethren  called  to  see  me.  Having  inquired 
minutely  into  my  state,  he  paused,  and  then 
asked  me,  "  Why  are  you  not  pardoned,  and 
made  happy  in  God  1"  It  appeared  to  me  a 
very  unreasonable  and  absurd  question.  I  an- 
swered, "  I  cannot  tell."  "Hearken  to  me;" 
he  said  ;  "  it  must  be  either  God's  fault  or  your 
fault ;  either  that  God  is  not  able,  or,  what 
amounts  to  the  same,  that  he  is  not  willing  to 
save  you ;  or,  that  you  certainly  have  not  sought 
salvation  in  the  right  v/ay.  With  respect  to 
the  former,  I  will  undertake  to  prove  that  God 
is  able  and  willing  to  save  you  now."  This  he 
did  with  great  clearness  and  force  of  argument ; 
and  concluded,  saying,  "  If  the  God  of  truth 
hath  said,  '  Whosoever  cometh  unto  me,  I  will 
in  no  wise  cast  him  out,'  it  must  of  necessity 
follow,  that  all  the  fault  is  yours,  the  hinderance 
is  in  yourself  alone.  I  know  you  have  broken 
off  every  sin,  have  left  your  old  companions, 
and  have  sought  the  Lord  earnestly,  with  many 
tears  ;  all  which  are  essential  to  salvation.  You 
have  been  mighty  in  grief,  till  your  flesh  is 
consumed,  and  you  have  trusted  in  this,  as  a 
plea  for  the  mercy  of  God,  instead  of  pleading 
in  faith  the  death  and  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ 
as  the  only  ground  of  your. hope,  and  plea  for 
pardon.  If  you  were  to  seek  salvation  a  thou- 
sand years,  without  the  precious  name  of  Christ, 
it  would  not,  it  could  not,  avail." 

This  faithful  messenger   greatly   astounded 
me,  and  I  found  the  risings  of  pride  and  anger, 
to  be  thus  stripped  of  my  last  covering.     He 
3 


34  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

proceeded,  "  He  that  believeth  shall  be  saved  : 
this  is  the  short,  easy,  scriptural  method  of  sal- 
vation, by  which  a  sinner  can  be  saved.  With 
all  your  heart  believe  the  promises,  and  cordially 
embrace  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  your  Sa- 
viour, evidently  set  forth  to  give  you  remission 
of  sins  ;  and  in  the  moment  you  exercise  this 
faith,  God  will  send  the  spirit  of  adoption  into 
your  heart,  crying,  Abba,  Father  !" 

The  light  of  truth  shone  into  my  mind,  and 
I  with  gratitude  now  saw  that  my  tears  and 
prayers  could  not  atone  for  one  sin  ;  that  God 
was  able  and  willing  to  save  me  now ;  and  it 
only  remained  for  me  to  believe,  to  obtain  in- 
stant deliverance.  I  found  myself  upon  the 
threshold  of  mercy,  and  was  just  going  to  ven- 
ture upon  Christ  by  faith,  when  it  was  sug- 
gested, "  If  thou  believe  now,  thy  leader  will 
not  receive  thy  testimony  to-night  at  the  class- 
meeting  ;"  I  listened  to  the  tempter  by  putting 
it  off,  and,  doubtless,  thereby  grieved  the  Spirit 
of  God. 

On  my  way  to  the  class  I  greatly  antici- 
pated my  deliverance,  saying  to  myself,  "  As 
I  pass  this  tree,  this  gate,  ^zc,  returning  home, 
I  shall  be  happy  in  God,  praising  him  for  the 
pardon  of  all  my  sins."  When  I  got  there,  I 
had  a  mighty  contest  with  the  powers  of  dark- 
ness. He  who  was  a  liar  from  the  beginning 
said,  "  Thou  art  deceiving  thyself — thy  repent- 
ance is  not  deep  enough — thou  hast  not  prayed 
long  enough — the  blessing  thou  art  seeking  is 
of  infinite  worth  ! — this  cannot  be  the  time — 


LIFE   OF  LONGDEN.  35 

thou  dost  not  feel  the  Lord  so  near  as  thou  didst 
this  forenoon."  I  renewed  my  efforts,  strug- 
gling in  prayer — saying,  "  Jesus,  .1  take  thee 
for  my  Saviour  ;  I  believe  thou  diedst  for  me, 
even  for  my  sins  to  atone.  I  cast  my  guilty 
soul  into  thy  arms  of  mercy  !  I  do  believe,  I  do 
believe  !"  Just  then  the  leader  asked  me  the 
state  of  my  experience ;  in  the  fulness  of  my 
heart  I  cried,  "  I  will  believe !  I  can  believe  ! 
1  do  believe  !  glory  be  to  God !"  The  leader 
and  members  were  much  affected,  and  all  joined 
with  me  to  praise  the  Lord.  He  then  gave  me 
some  salutary  instruction  to  hold  fast  the  be- 
ginning of  my  confidence  with  steadfastness. 
I  was  assailed  that  night  with  powerful  tempt- 
ations to  suspect  the  reality  of  the  work,  yet 
I  continued  determinately  to  believe  and  give 
glory  to  God.  For  several  days  I  had  frequent 
contests  with  the  adversary  ;  he  said,  "  Now 
thou  art  worse  than  before,  for  then  thou  couldst 
weep  for  thy  sins,  but  now  thou  art  hardened 
and  careless  about  them."  I  instantly  dropped 
upon  my  knees,  and  the  Lord  graciously  inter- 
posed, rebuked  the  tempter,  and  filled  my  be- 
lieving heart  with  love,  and  joy,  and  peace. 


CHAPTER  II. 

From  his  Conversion  to  the  time  of  his  being  ap- 
pointed a  Class-Leader. 

The  morning  after  my  conversion,  while  we 
were  at  breakfast,  I  pressed  the  necessity  of 


3©  LIFE   OP  LONGDEN. 

believing  juM  now  upon  my  wife  and  my  sister, 
who  had  both  been  earnestly  seeking  the  for- 
giveness of  their  sins  some  months ;  when  the 
latter  suddenly  rose  up,  and  with  her  lifted 
hands  clasped  together,  in  the  full  assurance 
of  faith,  exclaimed,  "  I  do  believe !  I  do  believe! 
I  am  happy  !  I  am  happy  !  glory  be  to  God  for 
ever  and  ever  !"  My  wife  also,  on  the  evening 
of  the  same  day,  at  her  class,  was  clearly  deli- 
vered from  the  burden  of  her  sins,  and  could 
believe  and  triumph  in  God  as  her  Father,  re- 
conciled to  her  through  the  death  of  his  Son. 

We  were  indeed  a  happy  family  !  a  three- 
fold cord  which  could  not  be  broken.  We  lived 
together  in  acts  of  reciprocal  atfection,  labour- 
ing to  anticipate  each  other's  wants,  carrying 
one  another's  burdens,  and  each  leading  the 
other  out  of  nature  into  God. 

Our  evenings  were  spent  in  religious  con- 
versation, and  were  always  concluded  by  read- 
ing a  portion  of  Holy  Writ.  Then,  with  har- 
mony of  voices,  and,  what  was  better,  with 
unison  of  hearts,  we  sung  the  songs  of  Zion  : 
and,  lastly,  we  poured  out  our  souls  in  fervent, 
importunate  prayer,  and  we  did  not  pray  in 
vain. 

By  the  good  providence  of  God,  my  sister 
was  married  to  Mr.  James  Barlow,  and  sur- 
vived  to  be  the  mother  of  two  children.  The 
elder  of  these  is  now  living,  and  is  treading  in 
the  steps  of  his  mother,  following  her  to  the 
regions  of  endless  day  :  the  second  died  in  in- 
fancy.    Soon  this  little  spark  of  being  returned 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  37 

to  its  own  native  element  of  spirits  !  Myste- 
rious providence  !  to  give  birth  to  this  short- 
lived  existence  on  earth  !  It  cost  its  mother's 
life  !  She  died  triumphant,  in  full  assurance 
of  eternal  life.  She  was  a  woman  remarkable 
for  the  neatness  of  her  person,  simplicity  of 
manners,  and  integrity  of  heart :  was  rather 
reserved  in  conversation  with  strangers,  but 
she  was  a  cheerful,  faithful,  and  intelligent 
friend. 

But  thou  art  gone,  my  sister !  thou  hast  passed 
the  flood  !  and  hast  in  nobler  strains,  and  with 
more  exalted  powers,  these  many  intervening 
years,  been  vying  with  angels  and  archangels, 
to  laud  and  praise  the  glorious  Three  One  ! 

From  this  time  I  held  on  my  way,  waxing 
stronger  in  the  Lord  :  it  was  manifest  to  the 
people  of  God  that  I  was  truly  sincere,  and 
they  bore  with  my  infirmities.  From  the  be- 
ginning of  my  pilgrimage  I  saw  the  plain  beaten 
path  of  duty  to  be  the  way  of  safety  ;  and  al- 
ways availed  myself  of  every  means  of  grace, 
public  and  private ;  and  I  believe  in  every  or- 
dinance my  eye  was  single.  In  reading  or 
hearing  the  word  of  God,  whatever  I  saw  as 
my  privilege  I  applied  lor  to  God  in  prayer, 
and  pleaded  his  promise  and  faithfulness  till  I 
received  an  answer. 

"  The  zeal  of  the  Lord  eat  me  up."  I  was 
deeply  concerned  for  the  honour  of  God.  I 
dared  not  to  suffer  sin  to  pass  unreproved. 
Whether  rich  or  poor,  I  had  no  alternative,  but 
instantly,  "in  the  name  of  our  God  I  set  up 


38  LIFE  OF  lo>;gden. 

my  banner."  Naturally  a  stranger  to  fear,  I 
delighted  to  attack  Satan  in  his  fortresses  and 
strong  holds,  and  I  took  a  hazel  stick  in  my 
hand,  to  have  in  readiness,  if  I  should  hear  any 
boys  blaspheme  the  name  which  I  so  much 
venerated  ;  that,  at  least,  if  I  could  not  beat 
Satan  out  of  them,  they  should  not  sin  in  my 
hearing  with  impunity. 

My  old  companions  did  not  part  with  me 
without  reluctance ;  at  length,  when  all  entrea- 
ties were  ineffectual,  they  contented  themselves 
with  thinking  that,  by-and-by,  I  should  be  weary 
of  my  new  profession,  and  be  glad  to  be  re- 
ceived again  into  their  fraternity.  They,  how- 
ever, feared  to  meet  me  ;  for  I  had  conscien- 
tiously and  faithfully  warned  each  of  them  of 
their  danger.  I  have  often  observed  them  turn 
or  run  anywhere  to  avoid  meeting  me ;  and 
sometimes  1  have  followed,  and  found  them  in 
some  secret  corner,  to  their  great  confusion,  and 
to  the  shame  of  their  cause  and  their  master. 

Some  months  after  my  conversion  to  God, 
my  class-leader  said  to  me,  "  Do  you  think  that 
God  can  save  you  from  all  inbred  sin  ?"  I  re- 
plied, "  1  know  God  can  do  every  thing  ;  but 
I  do  not  expect  that  he  will  save  me  or  any  of 
his  servants  to  that  extent  and  degree  before 
death  ;  I  think  he  will  suffer  these  enemies  to 
remain,  for  the  trial  of  my  faith  and  constan- 
cy." He  lent  me  a  treatise  upon  Christian 
perfection  to  read  with  candour,  and  desired  me^ 
before  I  read  it,  to  pray  earnestly  to  God,  for 
light  and  conviction,  to  receive  the  unadulte- 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  39 

rated  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  I  did  read  the 
book  with  candour,  mixed  with  prayer  ;  and  I 
saw  from  the  Lord  I  was  not  in  the  most  ex- 
cellent way  ;  the  remains  of  self-will  and  unbe- 
lief, of  pride  and  anger,  were  within  me,  and 
while  I  sought  to  conquer  one  of  these,  another 
would  gain  an  ascendency. 

I  told  these  things  to  my  religious  compa- 
nions, and  found  that  their  experience  answered 
to  mine  as  face  to  face  in  a  glass.  In  order 
to  help  each  other  in  the  most  effectual  way, 
it  was  proposed  and  agreed  that  we  should 
meet  in  band.  This,  of  all  the  advantages  in 
the  economy  of  Methodism,  is  far  the  most  use- 
ful and  excellent, — where  two  or  more  are 
bound  to  be  faithful  with  the  souls  of  each 
other — ^jealous,  with  a  godly  jealousy,  sympa- 
thizing in  suffering,  and  bearing  one  another's 
burdens.  And  I  know,  by  many  years'  expe- 
rience, that  "  it  is  good  for  brethren  thus  to 
dwell  in  unity." 

As  soon  as  I  had  received  a  clear  conviction 
for  entire  sanctification,  I  saw  the  word  of  God 
had  comparatively  been  a  sealed  book  to  me. 
The  prayer  of  the  great  apostle  for  the  Thes- 
salonians,  "  The  very  God  of  peace  sanctify 
you  wholly,"  taught  me,  that  those  Christians 
for  whom  he  prayed  were  sanctified  in  part  by 
the  spirit  of  adoption,  in  that  moment  when 
their  sins  were  pardoned.  He  asks  entire  sanc- 
tification as  a  blessing  which  was  to  be  received 
in  time,  in  life,  in  health,  because  this  blessing, 
in  common  with  all  other  spiritual  blessings  in 


40  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN, 

Christ  Jesus,  must  be  received  in  answer  to  the 
prayer  of  faith,  now  ;  and  not  to  be  wrought  in 
a  succession  of  years  by  the  hoary  hand  of  time ; 
Beither  gradually,  by  the  performance  of  a  suc- 
cession of  religious  duties;  nor  suddenly,  by 
the  iron  grasp  of  death,  as  I  had  before  vainly 
imagined. 

And  the  apostle's  declaration  of  his  experi- 
ence to  the  Philippians,  "  I  can  do  all  things 
through  Christ,  who  strengtheneth  me,"  farther 
encouraged  me.  And  "  let  the  same  mind  be 
in  you  which  was  also  in  Christ  Jesus,"  must, 
in  the  lowest  sense,  mean  humility  without  any 
mixture  of  pride,  and  holiness  without  any  mix- 
ture of  sin. 

Without  the  experience  of  universal  holiness 
I  saw  I  could  not  bring  so  much  glory  to  God, 
neither  could  I  be  so  extensively  useful  in  my 
day  and  generation.  And  I  was  convinced 
that  not  any  thing  short  of  this  degree  of  in- 
ward purity  is  a  meetness  for  the  society  of 
angels  and  the  presence  of  God,  whose  tran- 
scendent jilory  is  holiness. 

Being  fully  convinced  that  entire  sanctifica. 
tion  is  the  privilege  of  every  Christian  believer, 
I  resolved  to  seek  it  diligently  in  the  use  of  all 
the  means  of  grace.  I  found  I  could  not  retain 
this  thirst  for  holiness,  if  I  was  not  diligent  in 
prayer  and  circumspection.  If  at  any  time  I 
was  remiss  in  any  duty,  or  was  engaged  in 
improfitable  conversation,  or  did  not  improve 
every  hour  to  edification,  my  desires  and  con- 
victions considerably  abated. 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  41 

One  evening,  at  our  band,  the  presence  of 
God  peculiarly  overshadowed  us  ;  we  were  met 
with  one  accord  to  plead  that  as  the  time  ac- 
cepted, and  not  to  cease  pleading  till  we  could 
all  declare,  that  "  He  was  manifested  to  destroy 
the  worlvs  of  the  devil."  We  were  presently 
"  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire." 
Being  purged  from  all  iniquity,  we  fully  and 
heartily  gave  up  our  bodies  and  souls  to  be  the 
Lord's  for  ever. 

The  state  of  weakness  to  which  my  body 
was  reduced  by  the  fasting,  prayers,  and  ago- 
nies of  repentance,  was  not  yet  removed.  In- 
stead of  amending,  my  health  declined,  and  I 
was  seized  with  a  nervous  fever.  A  few  ex- 
tracts from  my  diary,  when  I  was  recovering, 
will  best  show  the  state  of  my  body  and  mind. 


EXTRACTS   FROM  HIS   DIARY, 

WHEN  HE   HAD  BEEN  IN  THE  SOCIETY   ONE  YEAR. 

Sunday,  January  25,  1778.  I  have  been 
blessed  to-day  in  all  the  means  of  grace ;  and 
have  been  led  to  rejoice  in  God,  who  giveth 
me  a  clear  evidence  of  his  sanctifying  love. 
The  Lord  Omnipotent  reigneth  in  my  heart. 

26.  I  do  not  give  all  diligence,  but  I  have  set 
out  anew  to-day.  I  possess  a  sweet  peace,  but 
not  a  fulness  of  joy. 

27.  My  poor  nervous  body  has  been  an  oc- 


42  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

casion  of  lowness  of  spirits,  sore  temptation, 
and  evil  reasoning.  Prayer  to-night  has  been 
a  means  of  grace,  and  my  soul  has  found  its 
centre  and  rest. 

28.  A  day  of  peace  and  comfort ;  but  I  would 
not  be  satisfied  with  this  ;  "  eager  I  ask  and 
pant  for  more."  I  want  to  love  thee,  my  God, 
with  greater  fervour,  and  to  love,  for  thy  sake, 
every  creature  thou  hast  made. 

29.  I  am  not  conscious  that  T  desire  either 
the  riches  or  the  honours  of  the  world  ;  I  only 
want  more  of  thy  light,  life,  and  love.  For 
these  I  would  be  covetous — a  miser — a  nig- 
gard. 

This  evening,  while  going  to  the  house  of 
God,  I  did  not  enter  his  gates  with  reverence  ; 
and  therefore,  no  wonder  my  mind  was  not 
stayed.  O  God  !  forgive  all  my  negligences 
and  sins,  for  Christ's  sake. 

30.  A  day  of  fasting  to  the  body,  and  of  feast- 
ing  to  the  soul.  I  have  experienced  the  love 
and  power  of  God  as  words  cannot  express.  O 
that  I  could  sufficiently  praise  God  !  surely  I 
shall  one  day  see  him  in  glory,  and  then  my 
expanding  soul  shall  praise  him  without  weari- 
ness to  all  eternity. 

31.  I  have  been  overpowered  with  weakness 
to-day,  and  my  body  has  been  a  burden.  Some- 
times it  appeared  as  if  God  had  forsaken  me  ; 
at  others,  I  had  a  glimpse  of  his  presence. 
Fasting  yesterday  brought  my  body  lower  than 
usual ;  yet  if  the  Lord  shall  please  to  strengthen 
me  I  shall  do  the  like  again.     In  my  closet, 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  43 

this  evening,  I  intend  to  wrestle  in  prayer,  till 
I  can  feelingly  praise  Him  from  whom  all  bless- 
ings flow. 

Siinday,  February  1 .  Under  preaching  and 
at  my  band  I  have  found  much  pleasure  and 
profit. 

I  have  been  led  to  lament  the  state  and  con- 
dition of  my  old  companions.  What  an  infa- 
tuation !  they  are  bartering  their  immortal  souls 
for  the  empty  pleasures  of  sin,  which  are  but 
for  a  season. 

2.  Why  do  I  not  more  visibly  grow  in  grace? 
Surely  there  wants  more  earnestness.  I  find 
nothing  contrary  to  love,  yet  a  deadness  fre- 
quently steals  upon  me.  O  God  !  I  engaged 
in  worldly  conversation.  O  Lord  !  quicken  my 
soul,  so  v/ill  I  run  after  thee. 

3.  This  morning  I  arose  joyful  in  the  Lord, 
and  found  the  divine  presence  with  me  all  the 
day.  To-night,  at  class,  Satan  triumphed,  and 
I  was  brought  into  condemnation  by  speaking 
my  experience  in  a  general  manner,  and  not 
pointedly  declaring  that  God  had  full  posses. 
sion  of  my  heart.  Jesus,  thou  art  a  Saviour 
to  the  uttermost ;  thine  is  the  power,  and  thine 
is  the  glory. 

4.  Blessed  be  God,  I  walk  in  the  light  of  pu- 
rity, and  I  enjoy  that  love  which  casteth  out 
the  fear  of  death  ;  he  is  the  messenger  of  my 
Lord.  O  send  the  deliverer  !  that  I  may  be 
admitted  into  thy  presence,  sit  at  thy  feet,  and 
gaze  at  thy  fair  beauty  for  ever  and  ever.  J 
was  much  blessed  to-night  while  hearing  W,  M. 


44  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

from  Isaiah  xl,  1.  He  set  up  a  standard  of 
examination.  "  The  people  of  God,"  he  said, 
"  are  separated  from  all  iniquity,  and  they  are 
continually  devoted  to  him."  While  he  spake 
of  the  resources  of  their  comfort,  it  was  indeed 
a  time  of  refreshing. 

5.  The  Lord  enabled  me  to  reprove  sin  to- 
day, and  a  profligate  sinner  fell  under  the 
power  of  conviction.  May  he  bring  forth  fruit 
meet  for  repentance !  I  have  been  powerfully 
tempted  to-day  without  sin.  Blessed  be  God, 
who  perfecteth  strength  in  weakness  ! 

6.  This  day  twenty-four  years  I  first  saw 
the  light.  Why  was  not  the  good  Spirit  of 
God  weary  in  waiting,  and  in  striving  in  my 
long  career  of  sin  ? 

"Amazing  love,  immense  and  free, 
For,  O  my  God !  it  found  out  me." 

How  shall  my  wandering  soul  magnify  and 
extol  the  infinite  mercy  of  God  ?  Angels,  men, 
and  devils  gaze  in  astonishment  at  a  brand 
plucked  out  of  the  burning  !  Though  I  might 
and  ought  to  have  been  more  diligent  and  faith- 
ful, yet  I  am  what  I  am  by  the  grace  of  God ; 
and  I  do  here  deliberately,  solemnly,  and  heart- 
ily consecrate  my  future  days  (be  they  many 
or  few)  to  the  service  and  glory  of  God,  as  my 
reasonable  service,  my  indispensable  duty,  and 
my  highest  privilege. 

7.  i  have  entered  upon  a  new  year,  and  the 
vows  of  the  Lord  are  upon  me.  I  shall  do  all, 
the  will  of  God,  through  the  strength  and  grace 
of  Christ,     I  have  been  treated  unjustly  to- 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  45 

day,  and  was  instantly  tempted  to  anger ;  I 
cried,  "  Lord,  help  me !"  and  found  an  inward 
calm  and  self-possession,  by  which  I  had  the 
advantage  of  my  adversary.  I  returned  home 
praising  God,  who  hath  said,  "  Vengeance  is 
mine,  I  will  repay." 

8.  I  have  found  the  Lord  a  quickening  spirit 
in  the  ordinances  to-day.  What  remains  but 
that  I  more  than  ever  devote  my  heart  and  life 
to  God. 

9.  A  day  of  trial.  Lord,  I  know  thou  canst 
remove  this  nervous  affection,  and  thou  wilt, 
if  it  will  advance  thy  glory.  Blessed  be  God ! 
at  the  lowest  times  I  have  the  happiness  of  a 
good  conscience,  and  this  is  more  than  tongue 
can  tell. 

10.  I  have  been  better  in  my  health  to-day, 
and  I  have  been  exulting  in  God.  I  hope  I 
shall  learn  to  trust  God  when  I  am  feeble  and 
tempted,  for  he  knoweth  my  frame,  and  the 
sincerity  of  my  heart. 

11.  This  has  been  a  day  to  be  remembered  ; 
at  sister  Alcock's  funeral,  when  I  sat  with  her 
class-members  in  a  separate  room,  I  felt  the 
overwhelming  presence  of  God.  How  near 
was  the  eternal  world  !  only  a  very  thin  veil 
separated  us.  How  soon,  I  thought,  this  will 
be  my  case,  and  my  friends  will  be  brought  to- 
gether on  a  like  occasion.  I  then  poured  out 
my  soul  in  prayer  for  a  full  meetness  to  be  ad- 
mitted into  the  general  assembly  and  church 
of  the  first-born  in  heaven. 

12.  I  am  astonished  that  I  felt  a  backward- 


46  LIFE    OF   LONGDEIf 

ness  to-day  in  going  to  God  in  secret ;  for  I 
never  came  away  without  a  blessing.  I  have 
been  shown  the  necessity  of  greater  diligence 
in  mental  prayer. 

14.  I  feel  pain  of  body  ;  but,  Lord,  let  it 
continue  thy  time,  and  accomplish  thy  gracious 
purposes  ;  I  feel  nothing  contrary  to  pure  love. 

16.  I  have  been  very  low,  and  sometimes 
perplexed,  lest  there  should  be  in  me  a  spiritual 
decay.  Surely  I  do  not  live  in  the  full  exer- 
cise of  faith.  May  I  trust  thee  in  the  day  of 
adversity,  and  triumph  over  pleasure  and  pain. 

Siniday,  February  17.  Words  fail  me  to  set 
forth  the  goodness  of  God  this  day  to  my  soul. 
At  morning  prayer,  at  morning  service,  in 
short,  every  moment  of  the  day,  I  found  such 
a  spirit  of  prayer  and  praise  !  I  see  my  deme- 
rits are  fire  and  brimstone  to  all  eternity.  But 
O  the  mighty  change  !  a  child  of  God,  an  heir 
of  heaven  ! 

"  Jesus,  thy  blood  and  righteousness 
My  beauty  are,  my  glorious  dress  : 
'Midst  flaming  worlds,  in  these  array'd, 
With  joy  shall  I  lift  up  my  head." 

By  the  return  of  spring,  together  with  my 
mind  being  calmly  resigned  to  the  divine  ap- 
pointment, and  the  blessing  of  God  upon  both 
of  these,  I  gradually  recovered  my  former  state 
of  health  and  activity  :  I  now  saw  and  admired 
the  wisdom  and  gracious  permission  of  God  in 
my  late  affliction.  I  became  more  fully  ac- 
quainted with  myself  by  it  than  I  otherwise 
could    have  been.     And  what  we  are  taught 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  47 

by  suffering  we  do  not  forget  so  easily  as  that 
which  we  learn  by  precept  and  example. 

My  prayer,  from  the  beginning  of  my  Chris- 
tian course,  was,  for  zeal  for  the  honour  of  God. 
Having  much  forgiven,  I  saw  it  was  my  duty 
to  love  much  :  accordingly  I  ran  into  every 
open  door  of  usefulness,  seizing  every  opportu- 
nity  of  doing  good.  But  here  I  was  in  danger, 
lest  my  fervour  should  not  be  according  to  a 
knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  the  analogy 
of  Christian  experience.  From  the  weight  of 
my  own  infirmities,  I  was  taught  to  bear  with 
the  infirmities  of  the  weak  ;  I  had  a  feeling  of 
their  wants  and  a  sympathy  with  them  in  their 
sufferings.  I  saw  it  required  a  greater  effort 
of  grace  to  enable  us  patiently  to  sit  in  a  corner 
than  to  run  about  reproving  sin,  or  calling  sin- 
ners to  repentance. 

One  evening,  as  I  was  returning  from  chapel, 
where  I  had  been  much  blessed,  I  felt  m}^  soul 
travailing  in  birth  for  the  salvation  of  perish- 
ing men.     Having  to  call  at  our  grocer's  shop, 
I  found  him  inquiring  of  a  poor  woman  after 
,  the  health  of  her  son.     In  a  plaintive  voice  she 
I  replied,  "  He   is  very  ill — he  cannot  continue 
long — he  is  my  only  child,  and  when  I   have 
''  lost  him  I  have  lost  all !"     Instantly  I  felt  a 
,  strong  desire  to  visit  him,  and  with  some  diffi, 
;  culty  obtained  permission.     I  found  him  in  a 
,  wretched  habitation,  seated  in  an  easy  chair, 
'  panting  for  breath,  in  the  last  stage  of  a  con- 
j  sumption.     He  appeared  to  be  about  twenty- 
,  two  years  of  age. 


49  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

I  addressed  him  as  follows  : — "  Young  man, 
I  am  sorry  to  see  you  so  ill."  He  said,  "  I  am 
very  ill  indeed,  sir,  but  it  will  not  be  long — I 
shall  soon  be  released — I  hope  I  shall  soon  be 
in  heaven."  "  I  am  glad,"  I  added,  "  to  hear 
of  your  willingness  to  die,  and  of  your  hope  of 
heaven  ;  have  you  a  scriptural  foundation  for 
your  hope  ?"  As  he  made  no  reply,  and  think- 
ing he  did  not  understand  me,  I  said,  "  You 
know,  my  friend,  there  are  many  die  who  do 
not  go  to  heaven,  for  God  saith,  'The  wicked 
shall  be  turned  into  hell,  with  all  the  people 
that  forget  God.'  Before  we  can  be  admitted 
into  heaven  we  must  repent  of  our  wicked  lives, 
and  obtain  a  pardon  of  all  our  sins.  Have  you 
repented  and  been  forgiven  ?"  He  could  con- 
tain himself  no  longer  ;  but,  turning  with  in- 
dignation to  his  mother,  he  said,  "  What  did 
you  bring  this  fellow  here  for  ?"  Then  turning 
to  me,  he  said,  <'  3Ian,  go  about  your  buiness  ! 
I  did  not  send  for  you,  nor  do  I  want  you  ;  you 
do  me  no  good  ;  surely  my  sufferings  are  great 
enough,  and  you  distress  me  exceedingly." 
The  more  I  endeavoured  to  pacify  him,  the 
more  his  anger  kindled  against  me ;  I  there- 
fore sat  and  silently  lifted  my  heart  to  God  for 
wisdom  to  direct  me.  It  appeared  as  if  I  had 
no  possibility  of  success,  unless  I  could  obtain 
consent  to  sit  up  with  him  all  night.  I  asked, 
entreated,  and  would  not  be  denied.  I  told 
them  what  an  excellent  nurse  I  was,  and  I 
hoped  we  should  have  a  comfortable  night — if 
they  pleased,  I  would  go  home  and  fetch  some 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  49 

currant  jelly,  and  other  things  proper  for  a  per- 
son in  his  situation — that  I  would  bring  some 
refreshment  for  myself,  that  I  might  be  no  ex- 
pense to  them — that  a  night  of  sound  sleep 
would  refresh  the  old  mother,  who  seemed  al- 
most worn  out — that  I  would  instruct  him  in 
the  best  manner  I  was  able — and,  that  if  there 
were  a  change  for  death,  I  would  awake  the 
mother,  that  she  might  see  her  son  die,  &;c.,  &c. 
Taking  it  for  granted  I  had  prevailed,  I  has- 
tened home  and  returned  as  soon  as  possible, 
and  found  they  had  not  locked  me  out. 

The  young  man  received  me  with  sullen  si- 
lence. After  some  soothing  conversation,  1 
prevailed  upon  the  mother  to  go  to  bed.  As 
the  young  man  was  not  able  to  lie  down,  he 
remained  in  his  large  chair  day  and  night.  I 
told  him  I  had  brought  a  Bible  with  me,  and  if 
he  pleased,  I  would  read  to  him,  to  which  he 
consented.  After  I  had  prayed,  I  read,  and 
I  expounded  those  parts  which  were  applicable 
I  to  his  state.  "What!"  he  said,  "you  are  be- 
;  ginning  again  ;  you  certainly  will  kill  me — it 
;does  so  hurt  me  to  talk!  O  that  my  mother 
'was  but  here !"  I  said,  "  My  dear  child,  you 
need  not  to  talk ;  I  won't  ask  you  one  ques- 
;tion,  and  I  beg  you  will  not  speak,  and  I  will 
ipray  and  read."  I  kneeled  down  and  prayed 
again,  but  with  little  expectation.  Then  I 
, opened  the  precious  word  of  life,  and  alternately 
I  read,  expounded,  and  applied — when  I  saw  his 
jpassion  rising  I  begged  he  would  not  speak,  for 
lithat  would  hurt  him. 
I!  4 


50  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

We  spent  our  time  in  this  way  some  hours, 
till  at  length,  under  prayer,  I  heard  him  feebly 
say  amen  to  my  petitions,  which  inspired  me 
with  fresh  courage  to  persevere.  When  I 
arose,  I  spoke  to  him  more  closely,  with  all 
tenderness,  concerning  his  sin  and  danger. 
Now  he  opened  his  mouth  and  broke  the  snare 
of  the  devil.  He  told  me  he  was  the  son  of  a 
pious  Methodist  class-leader  !  who,  many  years 
ago,  had  passed  into  the  heavens.  I  felt  con- 
fident the  father's  many  prayers  must  be  an- 
swered.  Now  I  kneeled  down  and  asked  God 
in  faith,  nothing  doubting ;  I  heard  the  young 
man  repeating  my  petitions,  word  for  word  ; 
instantly  I  personated  a  poor  lost  sinner,  on  the 
brink  of  eternity,  and  on  the  verge  of  hell,  yet, 
through  the  infinite  merits  of  Jesus  Christ, 
suing  for  mercy.  Then  I  cried,  "  God  be  mer- 
ciful to  me  a  sinner  !  a  great  sinner,  the  chief 
of  sinners  ! 

'  I  feel  on  me  the  wrath  abide  ; 
'Tis  just  tlie  sentence  should  take  place, 
'Tis  just — but  O  thy  Son  hath  died.' 

Jesus  died  for  me ;  for  his  sake  alone  forgive  me 
— but  let  it  be  just  now.  Lord,  I  believe  !  help 
thou  my  unbelief."  We  both  prayed  harder 
and  louder,  till  we  prayed  with  all  our  might. 

When  we  rose  from  our  knees  (for  I  found 
he  had  dropped  upon  his  knees  during  the  last 
prayer)  he  walked  over  the  room,  and  leaning 
his  head  against  the  wall,  he  said,  *•  O  God  !  if 
thou  wilt  give  me  a  little  ease  and  strength,  I 
will  pray  as  well  as  I  can."     Immediately  he 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  51 

turned  to  me,  and  said,  "  I  have  no  pain  !  it  is 
all  gone."  He  then  poured  out  his  soul  in 
strong  cries  and  tears,  and  his  body  shook  like 
a  leaf  in  the  wind. 

Considering  his  state  of  weakness,  it  was 
astonishing  he  did  not  faint.  I  encouraged 
him  to  take  no  thought  for  his  body,  but  by 
faith  to  plead  the  blood  of  the  covenant.  His 
importunity  increased,  till  he  made  a  sudden 
pause,  and  turning  to  me,  he  said,  "  I  am  happy  ! 
O  how  happy  !  bless  the  Lord  !  blessed  be  my 
God  !"  And  he  praised  God  in  language  which 
astonished  me. 

He  was  so  filled  with  the  love  of  God,  that 
he  opened  the  door  and  walked  into  the  street, 
;  though  he  had  not  been  able  to  stand  for  some 
1  time  without  assistance.  Accents  of  praise  to 
I  .the  most  high  God  filled  the  air,  in  the  solemn 
'  silence  of  night.  He  said,  "  O  ye  angels,  join 
i  with  me  to  praise  the  Lord  !  The  dead's  alive, 
!  the  prodigal  is  found  !  Glory  be  to  God  for 
1  ever  !  O  the  matchless  mercy  of  God,  to  save 
1  me  at  this  latest  hour !"  &c.,  &c. 
j  This  was  a  memorable  night ;  what  a  con- 
,  trast  between  the  former  and  the  latter  part  of 
,  it.  In  the  beginning,  devils  were  raging  within 
I  him,  unwilling  to  lose  their  prey  ;  in  the  after 
\  part  of  the  night,  angels  were  rejoicing  ovei 
'  another  sinner  saved  by  grace.     I  sang  several 

I  hymns  of  praise  to  God,  and  we  conversed  as 

II  brethren  in  the  Lord,  and  fellow  citizens  of 
I  heaven  ;  we  eat  the  bread  of  life,  and  antedated 
!  the  joys  above. 


62  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

When  his  mother  came  down  in  the  morn- 
ing she  was  struck  with  astonishment  to  hear 
her  son  praise  God.  He  said,  "  If  God  had  not 
sent  his  servant  to  visit  me,  I  should  have  been 
damned  for  ever.  The  Lord  has  pardoned  all 
my  sins.  I  am  so  happy,  I  cannot  describe  it. 
Glory  be  to  God  for  ever!"  &;c.  He  continued 
a  few  days,  faithfully  warning  his  friends  and 
acquaintance  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come, 
magnifvinji  the  boundless  grace  of  God,  as  ma- 
nifestod  in  him,  and  then  triumphantly  departed 
this  life,  in  sure  and  certain  hope  of  a  glorious 
resurrection. 

August,  1778.  I  heard  an  anecdote  of  Mr. 
Wesley,  which  much  affected  me.  He  was 
asked  how  he  transacted  such  a  multitude  of 
business  :  "  Brother,"  he  said,  "  1  do  one  thing 
at  once,  and  I  do  it  with  my  might."  I  there-, 
fore  took  for  my  motto,  "  Not  slothful  in  busi- 
ness ;  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord  ;"  and 
I  determined  to  divide  each  day  into  certain 
portions,  that  one  positive  duty  might  not  inter- 
fere with  another,  and  that  not  any  thing  of 
importance  might  be  neglected.  Accordingly, 
I  rose  at  five  and  spent  an  hour  with  God. 
From  six  to  four  I  devoted  to  business,  allow- 
ing  myself  frequently  a  few  minutes  for  secret 
prayer.  From  four  to  ten  I  made  sacred  to 
religious  purposes  ;  for  reading  and  prayer  ; 
and  either  attending  preaching,  prayer  meeting, 
class  or  band  meeting.  I  could  always  sing — 
"  How  happy  is  the  pilgrim's  lot, 

How  free  from  every  anxious  thought, 
From  worldly  hope  and  fear,"  &-c. 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  53 

My  business  prospered  more  and  more  ;  and 
there  being  but  a  few  in  the  same  calling,  I 
could  choose  my  connections,  which  prevented 
much  risk  and  trouble.  I  had  money  to  spare 
for  the  support  of  God's  cause,  and  for  the  re- 
lief of  God's  poor.  I  thanked  those  who  called 
upon  me  to  assist  them  in  their  public  chari- 
ties ;  and  I  sought  out  modest  worth,  which 
shuns  the  public  eye,  quietly  suffering  in  obscu- 
rity.  Surely  I  tasted  all  the  blessedness  of 
giving,  by  making  the  widow  and  orphan's 
hearts  to  sing  (or  joy. 

I  began  to  perceive,  that  in  order  to  be  ex- 
tensively useful  I  must  increase  in  the  image 
of  God  ;  that  zeal  for  God  must  be  founded  in 
love  to  God.  And  I  could  not  be  eminent  for 
holiness  unless  I  continually  advanced  in  divine 
knowledge.  Several  friends  were  helpful  to 
me  in  recommending  a  judicious  selection  of 
books,  chiefly  upon  the  nature  and  reasonable- 
ness of  the  Christian  faith,  and  defences  against 
the  attacks  of  skeptics  and  infidels  ;  the  argu- 
ments for  and  against  general  and  partial  re- 
demption. The  Arminian  Magazine  had  just 
been  issued,  the  reading  of  which,  then  espe- 
cially and  ever  since,  proved  a  signal  blessing 
to  me.  I  studied  the  Scriptures  with  much 
prayer,  without  consulting  any  human  opinions 
for  a  reason.  I  saw  it  my  privilege  to  believe 
upon  the  authority  of  God,  all  that  God  had 
revealed  and  declared  ;  and  I  saw  it  my  duty 
to  labour  as  much  as  possible  to  ascertain  the 
meaning  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  when  reading  the 


6^  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 

books  which  he  inspired.  And  thus  I  sought 
to  store  my  mind  with  reUgious  truth,  as  a 
means  of  increasing  my  personal  holiness,  and 
also  to  confirm  me  in  the  pure  doctrines  of  the 
gospel,  as  well  as  to  acquire  an  ability  to  per- 
form the  apostolic  injunction,  "  be  always  ready 
to  give  an  answer  to  every  man  that  asketh 
you  a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  you,  with 
meekness  and  fear."  But  how  can  a  man  have 
this  readiness  who  has  not  examined  the  foun- 
dation and  reasons  of  the  whole  code  of  essen- 
tial Christian  doctrines,  and  received  and  em- 
braced them  from  conviction  of  their  truth  and 
divinity,  resulting  from  such  a  personal  exami- 
nation ?  A  man  may  be  an  upright  Christian 
without  this,  but  it  must  be  allowed,  he  will  be 
extremely  liable  to  be  blown  from  his  steadfast- 
ness by  every  wind  of  doctrine. 

It  is  true  that  all  of  religion,  whicji  is  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  be  known,  is  plain  and  easy 
to  be  understood,  and  yet  angels  desire  in  vain 
to  fathom  its  depths  profound,  or  climb  its 
heights  sublime. 

1  paid  strict  attention  to  all  the  public  means 
of  grace  ;  for,  as  the  labourer  feels  he  needs 
his  food,  so  I  felt  a  need  of  all  these  helps  in 
the  way  to  heaven.  At  first  I  was  tempted  to 
relax  when  offences  abounded,  but  I  do  not 
know  that  I  ever  listened  once  to  that  common 
temptation.  And  I  never  waited  upon  God  in 
vain,  but  received  a  Avord  of  light  or  convic- 
tion, of  reproof  or  comfort.  God  was  with  me, 
and  he  made  my  soul  as  a  well- watered  garden. 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  55 

As  my  health  was  fully  restored,  I  was  de- 
['  sired  regularly  to  attend  the  prayer  meetings, 
I  soon  found  that  the  greatest  part  of  those  who 
■  are  enlightened  under  our  preachers  are  saved 
i*in  our  prayer  meetings.  Well  might  our 
,:  poet  exclaim,  "O  wondrous  power  of  faithful 
'I  prayer  !"  We  seldom  met  without  witnessing 
the  conversion  of  sinners,  for  "  the  hand  of  the 
Lord  was  with  us,  and  many  believed  and  turned 
unto  the  Lord."  Sometimes,  from  the  fulness 
of  my  heart,  I  exhorted  a  few  minutes,  and  I 
saw  fruit  of  my  labour.  When  I  had  been  in 
the  society  about  two  years,  I  was  desired  by 
the  superintendent  to  take  the  head  of  a  class. 
The  deep  impression  I  had*  of  the  importance 
of  such  a  charge,  and  the  responsibility  which 
devolves  upon  those  who  engage  in  such  a  duty, 
caused  me  to  hesitate,  and  I  desired  to  have 
time  to  consider  of  it.  I  deemed  it  an  import- 
ant and  difficult  thing  to  be  a  faithful  Christian, 
and  I  believed  it  an  awful  and  more  difficult 
task  to  be  a  faithful  pastor.  Again,  if  I  were 
faithful  with  my  own  soul,  the  end  would  be 
answered  ;  but  if  even  I  were  faithful  with 
others,  through  their  insincerity  or  careless- 
ness the  end  might  not  be  answered. 

The  preacher  called  for  my  answer.  I  told 
him  the  substance  of  these  reasonings,  and  urged 
farther,  as  objections,  my  youth,  my  inability, 
and  my  inexperience.  A  class-leader,  I  urged, 
ought  to  be  a  father  in  Christ ;  a  man  of  sound 
and  deep  experience  ;  well  acquainted  with  the 
workings  of  the  human  heart  and  the  devices 


56*  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN, 

of  Satan.  He  must  feed  the  flock  with  nourish- 
ing  and  suitable  food.  He  ought  to  lead  the 
people  forward,  to  find  out  their  hinderances 
and  besetting  sins,  in  order  to  their  removal  ; 
and  set  before  them  their  high  calling,  and  con- 
tinue his  anxious  labours  till  he  delivers  them 
up  to  the  great  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  souls, 
"  blameless,  without  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such 
thing."  He  should  also  be  so  exemplary  in  his 
experience  and  character,  that,  like  a  true  cap- 
tain, he  may  lead  the  way  himself,  and  meekly 
but  confidently  say,  "  Follow  me  !"  "  If  these 
things  are  so,  I  must  beg  leave  to  decline  the 
offer,  as  being  utterly  unfit  for  that  office." 

He  replied,  "  Yoii  are  partly  mistaken.  A 
leader  is  only  accountable  to  God  for  his  own 
zeal  and  purity,  and  he  will  be  rewarded  accord- 
ing to  the  vigour  and  exercise  of  these  princi- 
ples, without  any  reference  to  the  sincerity  or 
hypocrisy  of  the  people  committed  to  his  care. 
I  admit  that  fathers  in  Christ  are  the  most 
able  to  feed  the  flock  :  but  I  would  ask.  How 
came  they  to  the  matured  state  of  fathers  ? 
Did  they  not  attain  it  by  the  labour  of  a  series 
of  years  ?  Besides,  all  these  elders  have  as 
much  work  as  they  can  bear  ;  and  here  is  a 
little  flock  which  will  be  scattered  and  devour- 
ed, if  we  wait  till  we  find  a  man  who  acknow- 
ledges he  is  fit  for  his  office.  It  is  my  opinion 
that  God  appoints  you  to  this  work,  and  you 
will  grievously  sin  against  him  if  you  refuse  to 
engage  in  it." 

I  was  much  affected  ;  I  durst  not  refuse,  but 


LIFE   OP   LONGDEN.  57 

with  many  tears,  and  much  trembling,  I  engaged 
in  what  I  considered  by  far  the  most  important 
office  among  the  Methodists. 

The  first  objects  of  my  attention  were  to  con- 
vince the  people  of  the  necessity  of  punctual 
attendance,  to  conform  to  all  the  rules  of  the 
society,  and  to  acquaint  myself  with  every 
member,  as  much  as  one  man  may  know  ano- 
ther ;  and  when  I  had  used  every  human  effort 
of  which  I  was  capable,  then  frequently  to  com- 
mend them  to  God  in  my  closet. 

The  Lord  gave  me  the  desire  of  my  heart  in 
behalf  of  most  of  them,  and  great  was  our  pros- 
perity. They  were  very  conscientious  in  their 
attendance  :  so  much  so,  that  we  have  some- 
times been  the  winter  quarter,  and  we  have  not 
had  one  absentee,  unless  detained  by  sickness, 
although  we  lived  a  quarter  of  a  mile  out  of  the 
town. 

I  made  it  a  duty  to  call  upon  those  members 
of  my  class  who  were  heads  of  families,  to  know 
the  state  of  their  domestic  economy,  family 
regulations,  and  family  religion.  I  never  found 
one  involved  in  diflSculty  and  debt,  but  they 
were  first  deranged  in  their  plans  of  economy  ; 
and  I  never  found  one  defective  in  regular  at- 
tention  to  family  worship,  that  prospered  in 
personal  piety.  Verily,  "  godliness  with  con- 
tentment is  great  gain." 

By  various  means  I  became  acquainted  with 
each,  nearly  as  with  my  own  soul,  with  their 
besetments  and  temptations,  arising  from  their 
age,  sex,  circumstances,  and  situations  in  life. 


58  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

It  was  often  sounded  in  my  ears,  "  Bid  the  peo- 
ple that  they  go  forward ;"  and,  blessed  be  God! 
many  of  us  did 

"  March  hand  in  hand, 
To  Iminanuel's  land." 

In  my  frequent  intercessions  for  the  people, . 
God  took  me  into  his  pavilion.  It  is  not  pro. 
per  to  relate  the  answers  to  prayer  which  I  re- 
ceived,  respecting  those  who  unfortunately  be- 
gan secretly  to  relax  in  prayer  and  watchful- 
ness, in  love  and  obedience,  and  who  had  begun 
again  to  live  in  indulgence  of  some  secret  sin. 
The  detection  broke  the  snare,  led  to  humilia- 
tion of  soul,  which  often  ended  in  restoration 
and  healing. 

Every  few  months  we  had  a  trial,  arising 
from  that  which  in  itself  was  a  cause  of  thanks- 
giving. The  Lord  incr,eased  our  members,  and 
the  room  became  too  small,  and  it  was  neces- 
sary  to  divide  our  company.  This  occurred 
again  and  again. 

My  experience  in  my  nervous  fever  taught 
me  to  bear  with  the  infirmities  of  the  weak  ; 
but  I  ever  made  a  proper  distinction  between 
infirmities  and  sins.  I  could  not,  dare  not,  pal- 
liate or  soften  the  sins  of  the  unfaithful  ;  and 
I  knew  a  true  penitent  would  always  run  before 
me,  in  self-abhorrence  and  crimination.  I  loved 
my  people,  and  sought  to  build  them  up,  but 
only  upon  a  good  foundation  ;  and  few  came 
among  us,  but  those  who  loved  and  sought  plain 
dealing.  When  Iliad  confidence  of  the  since- 
rity  of  a  professor,  I  loved  to  administer  a  sove* 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  59 

reign  balm  for  every  wound  by  the  Spirit  of 
truth,  the  Comforter,  and  all  the  consolatory 
promises  of  the  gospel.  These  soldiers  of  Christ 
nobly  stood,  bearing  the  burden  and  heat  of  the 
day  :  primitive  Methodists,  hardy  Christians, 
who  denied  themselves,  took  up  their  cross,  and 
followed  their  Lord  and  Master. 

One  summer's  day,  when  sitting  in  my  house 
after  dinner  looking  out  of  the  window,  I  saw 
a  person  at  a  distance  seated  upon  a  log  of 
wood,  looking  attentively  towards  the  house.  I 
was  a  little  surprised  ;  and  looking  again  pre- 
sently, I  saw  him  in  the  same  position.  Think- 
ing it  was  a  person  in  distress,  I  went  to  him 
to  make  some  inquiries,  and  found  he  was  one 
of  the  society  of  Friends,  who  believed  he  had 
a  call  to  visit  me,  and  was  waiting  there  for  a 
farther  opening.  I  gladly  received  him  into 
my  house.  As  he  sat  some  time  in  silence,  I 
concluded  he  had  not  any  special  message  to 
me,  and  ventured  to  interrupt  silence  by  ask- 
ing him  how  he  thought  we  could  best  spend 
an  hour  to  our  mutual  edification.  He  said, 
"  Perhaps  thou  hast  a  plan  to  propose."  "  I 
have  been  thinking,"  I  replied,  "  that  if  we 
could  tell  each  other,  with  good  temper  and 
sufficient  freedom,  what  appears  to  us  to  be  the 
leading  defects  in  Quakerism  and  Methodism, 
we  might  learn  something  of  importance." 
"  Perhaps  thou  wilt  begin  the  first,"  he  said  ; 
which  1  did,  and  continued  for  some  time,  de- 
chiring  my  undissembled  sentiments.  When  I 
had  finished,  and  he  had  heard  me  patiently, 


60  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

without  any  reply,  he  began  with  the  same 
freedom,  as  follows  : — "  I  have  frequently  ob- 
served,  when  thy  people  go  to  worship,  they 
talk  about  buying  and  selling,  or  any  other 
worldly  project,  till  they  arrive  at  the  very 
threshold  of  the  meeting ;  but  whenever  thou 
seest  a  Friend  going  to  meeting,  he  walks  in 
silence,  inattentive  to  all  he  sees  and  hears, 
seeking  a  preparation  in  the  temple  of  the 
heart,  to  wait  upon  God,  who  is  a  spirit. 
When  thy  people  come  out  of  meeting,  it  is  like 
the  disturbing  of  a  bee-hive.  Every  one  has  his 
calls  to  make,  his  messages  to  deliver,  or  in- 
structions to  receive.  When  all  this  is  ended, 
some  friend  is  waiting  for  him,  according  to 
appointment,  to  inquire  how  he  liked  the 
preacher,  &c.  The  reply  probably  is,  '  He  is 
an  excellent  preacher !  what  a  flow  of  language ! 
how  zealous  he  is  !  this  is  one  of  the  best  ser- 
mons I  ever  heard  !'  &c. ;  whereas,  if  thou  wert 
to  see  the  Friends  when  they  come  out  of  meet- 
ing, thou  wouldst  remark,  each  retires  in  silence, 
for  though  he  is  not  in  the  meeting-house,  he  is 
conscious  of  the  presence  of  that  Being  who 
filleth  immensity,  and  who  maketh  the  heart 
of  the  contrite  his  habitation.  And  if  any  re- 
marks  be  made  on  a  speaker  among  us,  they 

are  of  this  kind  ;  I  think  friend has  been 

favoured  to-day — ascribing  all  the  praise  to 
whom  it  justly  belongs."  I  exclaimed,  "  Guil- 
ty !  guilty  !  the  naked  truth  !  I  am  the  man  ! 
And,  by  the  grace  of  God,  I  hope  I  shall  be 
benefited  by  what  I  have  heard."    I  only  knew 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  61 

of  one  thing  more  to  make  this  a  Christian 
meeting  ;  and  that  was,  uniting  in  humble, 
:  hearty  prayer  to  God  for  his  blessing  upon  our 
i  conversation.  But  the  mention  of  prayer  made 
i  him  very  uneasy,  an9  he  remonstrated  against 
j  it,  lest  their  people,  hearing  of  it,  should  repri- 
l  mand  him.  At  length,  after  I  had  promised 
}  secrecy,  he  consented.  While  we  were  thus 
i  engaged  with  God,  we  were  much  affected, 
j  melted,  and  blessed  ;  and  we  parted  rejoicing 
that  we  met  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

Ever  since  my  interview  with  this  Friend, 
his  remarks  have  had  their  proper  influence 
upon  my  conduct.  Soon  after  I  took  a  sitting 
in  a  pew  down  stairs,  that  I  might  retire  as 
soon  as  service  was  concluded,  without  utter- 
ing one  v/ord  if  it  could  be  avoided.  Some  of 
my  brethren  may  have  thought  me  reserved 
and  singular,  when  going  to  the  house  of  God 
and  returning  from  it.  But  they  knew  not 
what  this  pious  Quaker  had  said  to  me,  and 
the  consequent  conviction  which  yet  habitually 
remains  upon  my  mind  ;  and  which,  I  hope, 
will  continue  to  influence  my  conduct  to  my 
life's  end. 

It  is  proper  to  remark,  at  the  close  of  this 
chapter,  that  the  house  of  Mr.  Longden  was  a 
,  house  of  prayer,  and  his  closet  was  a  Bethel, 
Perhaps  there  are  few  men  who  attain  the  same 
,  degree  of  power  with  God  in  prayer,  which  he 
!  now  possessed.  All  persons  who  came  into  his 
j  presence  were  faithfully  questioned  as  to  their 
rt  Christian  experience,  and  none  left  his  house 


62  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

without  prayer.  He  was  a  terror  to  evil  doers, 
and  lukewarm  professors  carefully  avoided  his 
company.  But  very  many  went  to  his  house 
at  Port  Mahon,  mourning,  to  join  with  him  in 
fervent  prayer,  and  their  sorrow  has  heen  turn- 
ed into  joy  ;  sinners  have  been  pardoned,  back- 
sliders have  been  restored,  and  believers  have 
been  cleansed.  Thus  did  he  grow  rapidly  in 
holiness,  and  abound  in  usefulness,  being  tilled 
with  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit. 

When  he  had  been  but  a  few  months  in 
the  Methodist  society,  a  member  of  the  so- 
ciety in  Sheffield  was  going  down  High- 
street  one  evening  to  the  old  meeting-house  in 
Mulberry-street,  and  saw  Mr.  L.  cross  over  the 
way  with  firm  st'^p  and  undaunted  resolution, 
to  reprove  a  rich  n  an  who  was  swearing.  3Ir. 
W.  stopped  to  listen  to  the  conversation,  and 
was  so  struck  with  what  he  saw  and  heard,  that 
his  heart  instantly  clave  to  him,  as  the  heart 
of  Jonathan  to  David.  He  said  within  himself, 
"  By  the  grace  of  God,  I  will  get  acquainted 
with  this  man."  He  did  so,  and,  for  nearly  five 
and  thirty  years,  was  his  constant  companion, 
in  storm  and  tempest,  sunshine  and  rain,  win- 
ter and  summer  ;  and  in  every  circumstance 
of  life,  whether  frowning  or  smiling,  joyous  or 
grievous,  his  aflfection  knew  no  decay ;  he 
watched  him  in  his  last  conflict — he  saw  him 
triumph  gloriously  over  every  adversary — he 
hung  over  his  departing  spirit — he  closed  his 
eyes  in  death  !  And  now  is  patiently  waiting 
till   his  change  come,  when  their  friendship 


LIFE   OF  LONGDEN.  63 

will  be  consummated  in  heaven,  and  lasting  as 
eternity. 


CHAPTER  III. 

His  call  to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  some  account 
of  his  labeurs. 

From  a  child  I  had  a  presentiment  that  I 
should  be  spared  to  the  estate  of  manhood,  and 
live  to  preach  the  gospel. 

I  had  been  about  two  years  in  the  Methodist 

society  when  I  began  to  hear  the  voice  of  God 

!  calling   me  to  be  his  witness  and  messenger. 

!  The  contemplation  of  such  an  important  work 

'  filled  me  with  fear  and  trembling  ;   and  I  hoped 

!  it  was  only  an  evil  suggestion  of  Satan,  to  exalt 

me  into  pride  and  self-importance,  and  there- 

'  fore  to    be    resisted  with   all    my  might.     At 

length,  the  convictions  became  so  frequent  and 

I  powerful  that  I  was  constrained  to  acknowledge 

I  the  voice  of  God. 

j  I  determined  to  unbosom  myself  to  my  band- 
i  mates,  in  whose  affection  I  had  an  inviolable 
'  confidence  ;  but  when  the  time  came  I  was 
overpowered  with  shame.  It  appeared  great 
;  presumption  to  say  that  I  believed  God  had 
I  chosen  me  as  an  instrument  to  call  sinners  to 
repentance.  I  thought  they  would  certainly 
.criminate  me  as  a  willing  dupe  to  self-decep- 
tion. Although  I  knew  I  had  coveted  exten- 
isive  usefulness,  yet  I  had  not  desired,  nay  I  had 
1  even  dreaded,  that  kind  of  usefulness.     I  now 


64  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 

resolved  to  maintain  a  uniform  secrecy,  and 
wait  till  God  should  reveal  his  designs  concern- 
ing me  to  some  other  person. 

It  is  most  certain,  that  by  this  rash,  pre- 
sumptive act,  I  grievously  sinned  against  the 
Lord,  and  I  lost,  in  this  awful  contest,  a  pecu- 
liar gift  and  power  with  God  in  prayer,  which 
I  fear  I  shall  never  recover.  By  contending 
with  the  Lord,  he  withdrew  from  me  his  loving, 
cheering  presence,  and  I  lost  my  evidence  of 
entire  sanctification.  I  remained  obstinate, 
and  became  languid  in  secret  prayer  :  my  afiec- 
tions  were  not  steadfastly  set  on  things  above, 
and  I  began  to  feel  some  inclinations  to  the 
world  and  sin.  Passing  by  an  old  favourite 
bowling-green,  I  stood  and  listened,  and  it  was 
with  difficulty  I  resisted  the  temptation  to  turn 
in.  At  length  I  saw  my  danger,  and,  struck 
with  horror,  I  run  from  the  place  as  one  run- 
ning for  his  life. 

At  the  next  band-meeting  I  told  my  state  of 
mind  to  my  band-mates  ;  but  I  did  not  break 
the  tempter's  snare  by  ingenuously  declaring 
the  cause  of  it.  But  O  !  the  compassion  and 
condescension  of  God,  who  "  willeth  not  the 
death  of  a  sinner."  He  condescended  to  my 
infirmities,  by  revealing  to  another  the  work 
of  his  Spirit  on  my  mind.  "  I  do  not  wonder," 
said  one  of  my  band-mates,  "  at  your  danger- 
ous state :  I  believe  you  are  fighting  against 
God.  You  have  often  prayed  for  extensive  use- 
fulness, not  in  the  appointment  of  God,  but  in 
your  own  way.     Tell  me,  have  not  you  a  con. 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  65 

viction  that  God  has  called  you  to  preach  the 
gospel  ;  and  have  you  not,  through  fear  and 
shame,  resisted  the  call  ot"  God  ?"  I  was  too 
much  aliected  to  make  any  reply.  He  pro- 
ceeded :  '•  I  believe  you  must  either  preach  or 
perish.  After  God  has  blessed  and  encouraged 
you  already  in  your  exhortations  and  prayers, 
to  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  many,  is  it 
not  base  ingratitude  thus  to  start  aside  from 
that  mode  of  usefulness  in  the  church  and  the 
world  which  God  in  infinite  wisdom  appoints?" 
I  replied,  with  trembling,  "  Rather  than  perish 
for  ever,  I  am  willing  to  make  an  attempt  be- 
fore a  senior  preacher,  and,  if  he  approve,  to 
go  on  some  time  by  way  of  trial," 

I  was  accordingly  appointed  to  accompany 
one  of  the  elder  preachers  the  following  Sunday. 
I  shall  never  forget  the  conflict  I  had  with  my 
fears,  and  the  suggestions  of  Satan  that  day. 
How  I  walked  to  the  place  I  cannot  tell  :  when 
the  time  was  at  hand,  and  the  people  were  col- 
lecting together,  my  heart  sunk  vvithin  me. 
But  the  Lord  timely  appeared  ;  he  graciously 
composed  my  mind  as  soon  as  I  stood  before 
the  people  ;  and  he  enabled  me  to  bear  my  first 
testimony  to  the  truth  with  freedom  of  speech 
and  enlargement  of  heart,  giving  me  also  some 
fruit  of  my  labour. 

When  the  people  were  dismissed,  the  good 

man  with  whom  I  came  said  to  me,  "  There  is 

wo   unto  thee  if  thou  preach  not  the  gospel.^^ 

Notwithstanding  his  confident  manner  of  speak- 

■  ing  to  me,  and  by  getting  through  this  first 


66  LIFE    OP  LONGDEN. 

attempt  better  than  my  fears  foreboded,  yet  J 
had  many  doubts  and  scruples  remaining.  ] 
resolved,  however,  to  offer  myself  a  candidate 
upon  probation  for  six  months,  and  (if  the  peo- 
ple would  bear  with  me  so  long)  I  would  pro- 
ceed, if  possible,  paying  no  attention  to  my 
being  bound  up,  or  having  liberty  in  my  exer- 
cises ;  but  from  a  general  view  of  the  fruit  of 
my  labours,  and  my  acceptance  with  the  people, 
I  would  then  conclude  to  persevere  in  my  en- 
gagements, or  thankfully  relinquish  them  for 
ever.  Blessed  be  God  !  at  the  expiration  of 
six  months  I  had  abundant  satisfaction.  The . 
Lord  gave  me  seals,  and,  notwithstanding  my, 
many  infirmities,  the  people  received  me  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord.  My  own  soul  was  frequently- 
blessed  in  my  work  and  labour  of  love  ;  and 
even  when  I  had  less  liberty,  it  was  not  less 
profitable  to  myself,  as  it  afibrded  me  cause  of 
deep  humiliation  before  God. 

Unfortunately,  Mr.  Longden's  own  narrative 
here  breaks  otf ;  he  had,  however,  committed 
to  writing  a  few  subsequent  circumstances  in 
his  experience  which  shall  be  inserted  in  their 
respective  places. 

When  Mr.  Longden  began  to  preach,  the 
Sheffield  circuit  included  the  Barnesley,  Don- 
caster,  Rotherham,  Chesterfield,  Bakewell,  and 
Bradwell  circuits.  The  journeys  of  the  local 
preachers  were  twenty,  thirty,  and  sometimes 
forty  miles  a  day,  besides  preaching  two  or 
three  times.  It  doubtless  required,  for  such  a 
work,  not  only  a  willing  mind,  but  a  hardy  con- 


LirE    OP    L0NGDT2N.  67 

stitution ;  and  many  excellent  constitutions 
have  been  broken  in  this  most  glorious  work — 
the  salvation  of  perishing  men. 

If  our  deceased  friend  had  a  favourite  part 
of  the  circuit,  it  was  in  those  distant  parts  of 
it  which  compose  the  Bakewell  and  Bradwell 
circuits,  among  the  mountains  of  Derbyshire. 
He  admired  the  grandeur  of  the  scenery,  but 
more  especially  he  was  delighted  with  the  peo- 
ple— their  simplicity  of  manners,  their  affection 
for  the  servants  of  God,  and  love  one  to  ano- 
ther, and  their  attention  and  fervour  in  every 
part  of  the  worship  of  God  ;  all  conspired  to 
unite  him  closely  to  them  in  indissoluble  bonds 
of  Christian  fellowship,  and  to  exercise  every 
power  and  grace  for  their  eternal  welfare.  On 
the  Sabbath  morning  he  would  rise  very  early, 
sometimes  long  before  the  dawn  of  day,  and 
set  out  upon  his  journey  ;  often  exposed  on  the 
high  moors  to  the  piercing  north  winds,  and 
beaten  by  the  sleet  and  rain  ;  but  evermore  he 
could  say,  "  Lo  !  I  come  with  joy  to  do  the 
Master's  blessed  will,"  &;c. 

A  fev/  individuals  are  living  who  knew  him 
when  he  had  made  his  first  visits  to  these  places. 
Their  joint  testimony  is,  that  they  at  once  ob- 
served in  him  a  penetrating  understanding  and 
a  strong,  masculine  mind.  Nevertheless,  he 
totally  disclaimed  all  dependance  upon  himself; 
he  would  labour  with  God  in  secret  prayer,  be- 
fore  the  hour  of  preaching,  for  his  promised 
help,  deeply  conscious  of  his  own  weakness  and 
helplessness :  he  begged  the  prayers  of  all  who 


68  LirE   OF  LONGDEN. 

had  any  power  with  God,  assuring  them  that 
he  could  not  preach  to  a  prayerless  or  an  inat- 
tentive people.  And  then,  endued  with  the 
strength  of  God,  enriched  with  his  grace,  en- 
lightened  by  his  truth,  he  spoke  with  mighty 
energy ;  and  his  message,  under  the  divine 
blessing,  was  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation.. 
At  Grindleford  Bridge  he  was  once  under  a 
painful  embarrassment ;  his  soul  was  in  dark- 
ness, and  had  no  light  into  the  passage  of  holy 
writ  which  he  had  intended  to  speak  from.  He 
simply  told  his  state  to  the  people,  and  begged 
they  would  join  with  him  in  prayer  to  Almighty 
God,  that  he  would  bruise  Satan  under  his  feet, 
and  appear  as  their  deliverer  :  and,  just  when 
he  was  crying,  "  O  Lord  God  !  if  thy  servant 
trusteth  in  thee,  suffer  me  not  to  be  confound- 
ed," deliverance  came  in  a  glorious  manner ; 
and  the  Lord  gave  him  a  tongue,  as  the  pen  of 
a  ready  writer. 

At  the  period  already  alluded  to,  the  light 
of  the  gospel  had  visited  comparatively  but  few 
of  the  villages.  Religion,  in  its  outward  ob- 
servances and  very  appearance,  was  nearly 
banished !  the  churches  v»'ere  deserted !  the 
ale-houses  were  peopled  !  the  Sabbath  was  pro- 
faned !  and  all  kinds  of  brutal,  inhuman,  fero- 
cious, and  licentious  games  were  practised ! 
Who  was  sufficient  for  evangelizing  these 
Christian  savages  ?  No  mere  man,  unassisted 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  however  learned  or  cou- 
rageous. Often  when  a  preacher  made  his  first 
entrance,  he  was  repulsed  with  inhuman  treat- 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  69 

ment.  Some  indeed  would  argue  .and  allege, 
they  had  the  parish  church,  and  they  wanted 
no  new  religion.  At  other  places  not  a  single 
family  durst  receive  the  preachers,  for  fear  of 
the  consequences  ;  and  they  have  often  stood 
to  preach  in  the  open  air,  in  the  midst  of  a 
shower,  not  of  rain,  but  of  rotten  eggs,  and  mud, 
and  stones ;  and  have  delivered  their  message 
under  the  protection  of  that  Being  who  has 
said,  "  All  power  is  given  to  me  in  heaven  and 
in  earth;  go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations, 
and  lo !  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  to  the  end 
of  the  world."  As  a  happy  partaker  of  the 
grace  of  God,  Mr.  L.'s  heart  was  imhued  with 
an  ardent  desire  that  all  might  enjoy  the  salva- 
tion of  the  gospel.  And  in  the  prosecution  of 
this  great  work,  he  endured  the  cross  and  de- 
spised the  shame,  rushing  into  every  open  door 
of  usefulness,  and  seeking  to  open  those  which 
were  determinately  shut.  In  one  place,  after 
he  had  been  preaching  in  the  open  air,  he  heard 
of  a  gentleman  farmer  whose  daughter  had 
joined  the  society,  but  who  himself  was  inve- 
terate in  his  dislike  to  them  ;  he  went  straight- 
way to  his  house,  knocked  at  the  door,  walked 
in,  and  sat  down.  "  Sir,"  he  said,  "  I  am  the 
Methodist  preacher  :  I  have  been  preaching 
upon  the  common,  and  having  travelled  sixteen 
miles,  I  am  now  very  faint,  and  shall  be  ex- 
tremely obliged  to  you  if  you  will  give  me  a 
little  refreshment."  The  person  thought,  Eng- 
lish hospitality  obliges  me  to  give  him  a  re- 
fr/eshment,  and  really  there  seems  something 


70  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  ' 

open,  honest,  and  good  about  the  man  :  I  had 
conceived  these  Methodist  preachers  were  all 
swindlers.  He  accordingly  set  before  him  the 
best  his  house  could  afford.  His  guest  spake 
of  the  things  of  God  !  he  kneeled  down  and 
prayed — the  man  was  much  affected — it  seem, 
ed  as  if  he  had  entertained  an  angel  unawares. 
The  next  day  there  was  a  hue  and  cry  through 

the  neighbourhood,  that  Mv.  was  turned 

Methodist !  Why,  thought  he,  it  is  not  true  ; 
but,  as  I  have  the  reproach,  I  might  as  well 
have  the  benefit  : — so  he  invited  the  next 
preacher  to  his  house  ;  and  both  he  and  all  his 
family  were  soon  partakers  of  the  heavenly  gift. 
And  as  long  as  they  lived,  their  house  was  a 
pilgrim's  inn  ;  and  he  who  calculates  to  a  cup 
of  water,  is  crowning  them  in  his  presence  with 
eternal  recompenses. 

Scarcely  any  people  raged  against  the  Me- 
thodists or  persecuted  them  with  that  ferocity, 
as  the  people  of  Barnsley.  For  some  years  a 
preacher  never  went  there  without  several  per- 
sons in  company.  A  man  is  now  living  in  that 
town,  who,  thirty  years  ago,  in  the  rage  of  per- 
secution, resolved  to  murder  Mr.  Longden.  He 
ran  up  to  him  with  an  instrument  in  his  hand 
for  that  purpose,  and  aimed  the  intended  fatal 
blow  at  his  head  !  but  he,  with  his  usual  agility, 
leaped  aside  in  that  instant  of  time,  and  provi- 
dentially escaped  with  his  lite. 

When  Mr.  Alexander  Mather  was  stationed 
in  Sheffield,  he  formed  a  peculiar  affection  for 
Mr.  L.,  which  he  retained  through  life.     Mr, 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  71 

M.  saw  his  manners  and  spirit,  and  had  an  un- 
bounded confidence  in  his  zeal  and  courage. 
He  came  to  him  one  day,  and  said,  "  Harry,  I 
have  pubUshed  for  you  to  preach  next  Sunday, 
at  Darfield,  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and 
at  Wombell,  at  two  in  the  afternoon."  "  Is 
there,"  he  inquired,  "any  place  to  preach  in?" 
"  Yes,"  replied  Mr.  M. :  "  in  God's  chapel,  un- 
der the  roof  of  heaven.  You  must  go  early, 
and  breakfast  at  the  public-house,  which  is  open 
for  all  travellers."  He  went,  according  to  the 
appointment.  When  he  had  breakfasted,  he 
told  the  landlord  his  errand,  and  asked  him  to 
be  so  kind  as  to  show  him  a  convenient  central 
place,  where  he  might  stand  to  preach.  The 
man  readily  consented,  and  waggishly  placed 
him  upon  a  wall  opposite  the  church,  and  be- 
tween the  vicar's  and  the  curate's  houses. 
They  began  the  worship  of  God  by  singing  a 
hymn  ;  the  landlord,  at  first,  beiiig  all  the  con- 
gregation. The  sound  of  their  voices  soon 
brought  a  large  company  together.  The  cler- 
gymen were  so  enraged  at  this  attack  upon 
their  quieU  that  one  of  them  ordered  the  ring- 
ers to  ring  the  bells,  while  the  other  got  upon 
his  horse,  and  galloped  up  and  down  the  street, 
if  possible,  to  disperse  the  people.  The  bells 
continued  to  ring,  he  to  preach,  and  the  people 
to  hear.  He  preached,  indeed,  till  he  was  al- 
most black  in  the  face,  determined,  if  possible, 
that  all  the  people  should  hear  and  understand 
him.  Several,  that  day,  received  the  good 
seed  into  good  and  prepared  ground,  which  af- 


7^  LIFE    OF    LOSGDEN. 

terward  bore  fruit  to  God.     When  he  had  done 

preaching,  Mr.  came  to  him,  invited  him 

to  his  house,  and  it  has  ever  since  been  open 
to  the  servants  of  God.  In  the  afternoon  he 
preached  in  quietness  at  Wombell  ;  and  pub- 
lished for  preaching  at  both  places  the  follow- 
ing Sunday.  From  this  time  he  procured  a 
supply  of  local  preachers,  and  hired  a  horse  for 
those  who  could  not  walk,  till  both  places  were 
regularly  attended. 

The  next  day,  Mr.  Mather  called  to  inquire 
of  his  reception  and  success.  "  Sir,"  said  he, 
"  you  laid  a  burden  upon  me  heavy  enough  to 
break  a  horse's  back."  "Ay,  Harry,"  he  re- 
plied,  "  it  is  a  very  easy  thing  to  break  a  horse's 
back,  but  if  you  put  a  mountain  upon  a  Chris- 
tian's back,  you  cannot  break  it." 

He  was  conscientiously  punctual  in  his  at- 
tendance upon  every  appointment  in  the  plan. 
His  work  was  no  drudgery,  it  was  his  delight — 
the  business  of  his  heart  !  The  people  to  whom 
he  was  appointed  to  preach  had  a  confidence 
that  he  would  not  send  another  as  a  substitute, 
because  the  place  was  distant,  or  that  he  would 
stay  at  home  because  the  roads  were  difficult, 
and  the  weather  cold  and  stormy.  One  Sab- 
bath morning  he  said,  "  If  any  one  would  give 
me  five  guineas  to  take  my  place  and  work  to- 
day, I  would  not  suffer  him  to  go  in  my  stead." 
At  another  time  he  said,  "  Were  Mr.  Wesley 
arisen  from  the  dead,  and  going  to  preach 
to-day,  I  would  not  neglect  my  place  to  hear 
him." 


LIFE    OF    LOXGDEN.  7$ 

The  afflictions  of  his  family  could  not  keep 
him  from  his  appointed  work,  such  was  his 
love  for  the  souls  of  perishing  men.  His  chil- 
dren were  several  times,  and  his  wife  was  once, 
in  particular,  thought  to  he  near  death  ;  hut 
when  he  had  procured  every  human  help  and 
every  possible  alleviation  and  comfort,  he  com- 
mended them  to  God,  and  left  them,  that  he 
might  go  and  publish  the  unsearchable  riches 
of  Christ,  as  well  as  prevent  the  disappoint- 
ment of  a  congregation. 

One  Saturday  he  was  afflicted  with  such 
violent  pain  and  inflammation,  occasioned  by 
a  decayed  tooth,  that  he  thought  it  would  be 
impossible  for  him  to  preach  the  following  day, 
unless   he  could   have  some  abatement  of  the 

\  pain  ;  he  went,  therefore,  to   Mr.   S ,  the 

;  apothecary,  and  desired   him   to  take  out  the 

I  decayed  tooth  :  upon  examination,  he  found  it 

was  the  farthest  tooth,  and  decayed  to  the  root ; 

J  he  was  told  he  must   bear  the  pain,  for  it  was 

I  impracticable   to  take  the  tooth  out.     He  re- 

j  plied,  "  You,  sir,  could  cut  my  jaw-bone  off  in 

1  a  minute,  and  I   think,   if  you  attempt  to  dig 

!  this  stump  of  a  tooth  out,  you  will  soon  suc- 

\  ceed  ;  and  if  I  complain,  or  make  any  signs 

;  of  fear,  you  shall  be  at  liberty  to  give  over  di- 

i  rectly."    At  length  he  was  persuaded  to  under- 

I  take  it,   and   presently,   after  inflicting   much 

pain,  drew  out  the    remains  of  the    tooth. — 

'•  Now,"  he  said,  '•  Mr.  L.,  you  must  not  attempt 

to  preach  to-morrow  ;  if  you   do,  a  mortitica. 

i  tion  may    be   the    consequence."     "  Sir,"  ho 


74  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

replied,  "  the  very  reason  I  came  to  you  to- 
night was,  that  I  might  be  able  to  preach  to- 
morrow  ;"  and  although  his  mouth  was  sorely 
lacerated,  he  preached  three  times  on  the  fol- 
lowing day,  without  receiving  any  injury. 
Some  may  reprobate  this  conduct  as  rash  and  i 
presumptive,  but  let  them  learn  what  that  say- 
ing meaneth,  '•  The  zeal  of  thy  house  hath 
eaten  me  up." 

After  he  had  preached  some  years,  he  began 
to  ride  his  own  horse,  which  he  found  a  great 
comfort  and  means  of  safety.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  horses  which  he  rode  carried  him  with 
eas.e,  he  had  many  providential  escapes.  Some- 
times he  found  the  hand  of  God  upon  him  for 
good  in  imminent  danger,  while  traversing  the 
trackless  mountains  covered  with  snow.  But 
that  Being  who  guided  his  people  in  the  wil- 
derness by  the  cloud  of  his  presence,  conducted 
him  in  safety  to  the  places  whither  he  jour- 
neyed. Upon  one  of  these  occasions,  as  he 
was  returning  home,  he  found  a  man  who  was 
lost  in  the  snow,  and  given  over  to  despair. 
They  rode  together  till  the  person  knew  where 
he  was,  and  he  ever  after  esteemed  Mr.  L.  as 
his  kind  dehvercr. 

"  One  day,"  (he  says  in  his  own  narrative,) 

being  desired  by  Mv. ,  an  itinerant  preacher, 

to  preach  for  him  that  evening  at  Chesterfield, 
*'  I  willingly  consented  to  go.  In  the  after- 
noon, when  I  set  off,  the  weather  was  very 
stormy.  When  I  was  within  a  few  miles  of 
the  place,  I  began   to  consider  whether  I  was 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  75 

doing  right  to  leave  my  calling,  to  preach  for 
a  far  abler  and  more  acceptable  preacher,  that 
he  might  stay  at  home,  and  have  nothing  to  do. 
I  was  lost  in  this  revery,  when  the  mare  I  rode 
made  a  foul  stumble,  instantly  dislodged  me 
into  a  deep  clay-ditch,  and  she  herself  fell  upon 
me  !  Both  myself  and  the  mare  had  our  heads 
but  just  out  of  the  water.  I  knew  if  she  began 
to  plunge  she  would  soon  trample  me  to  death 
under  her.  In  this  perilous  situation,  I  began 
to  cry  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  came  to  my  help. 
My  mind  was  quite  calm  and  collected ;  I 
spoke  kindly  to  my  mare,  and  clapped  her  upon 
the  neck,  and  then  attempted  to  raise  myself  a 
ilittle.  This  I  repeated  for  near  half  an  hour, 
till,  by  little  and  little,  I  got  out.  All  this  time, 
^although  she  was  very  spirited,  she  never  moved. 
(As  soon  as  I  was  out  of  the  ditch,  I  called  her 
jby  her  name,  and  she  began  to  plunge  and 
'struggle  till  she  got  out.  All  bespattered  and 
|bemired  as  we  were,  I  mounted,  and  rode  on  to 
! Chesterfield,  singing  songs  of  deliverance.  If 
',1  could  have  foreseen  the  teeming  floods  of 
jgrace  w^hich  were  poured  upon  the  people  that 
jnight,  I  should  not  have  wondered  at  Satan 
'wanting  to  drown  or  suffocate  me  on  my  way 
■thither." 

1  It  was  evident  to  every  unprejudiced  mind, 
(that  it  was  Mr,  Longden's  intention  to  be  use- 
ful in  the  most  effectual  way.  He  knew  he 
must  give  an  account  to  God  of  the  ministry 
he  had  received.  Therefore,  he  delivered  gos- 
ipel  truths  in  an  unadorned  manner,  to  a  plaia 


76  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 

people,  avoiding  every  thing  that  vras  splendid 
or  merely  amusing.  In  the  discharge  of  his 
duty,  he  laboured  to  be  clear  of  the  blood  of  all. 
He  faithfully  warned  the  notoriously  wicked, 
the  cold  formalist,  the  lukewarm  worldling,  and 
the  fell  hypocrite  ;  and  they  were  often  made 
to  tremble  before  the  Lord.  But  the  sinner's 
refuge  at  Mount  Calvary  was  his  favourite 
theme.  When  he  was  preaching  one  after- 
noon, in  Garden-street  cjiapel,  offering  a  present 
salvation  to  be  received  by  faith,  he  paused 
and  said,  "  If  I  am  not  greatly  mistaken,  the 
Lord  just  now  sealed  his  own  doctrine,  and 
saved  a  precious  soul ;  if  it  be  so,  I  hope  that 
person  will  now  rise  and  give  glory  to  God." 
Instantly  a  man  stood  up,  and  bore  a  blessed 
testimony  to  the  power  of  God  on  earth  to  for- 
give sins. 

His  discourses  were  never  personal,  but 
adapted  for  the  general  good.  He  considered, 
in  making  his  Sabbath  preparations,  the  state ^ 
of  the  people  whom  he  was  appointed  next  to 
visit;  whether  they  had  "need  to  be  taught 
which  be  the  first  principles  of  the  oracles  of  " 
God,"  or  whether  they  were  generally  of  full 
age,  even  those  who,  by  reason  of  use,  had 
their  senses  exercised  to  discern  both  good  and 
evil.  Out  of  his  treasury  he  brought  things 
new  and  ohl,  "  that  the  man  of  God  might  be 
perfect,  thoroughly  furnished"  with  every 
Christian  grace,  producing  in  their  season  all 
good  works. 

God  gave  his  servant  spiritual  discernment 


LIFE    OP    LONGDEN.  77 

to  know  the  subtlety  of  Satan's  devices,  and 
the   deceittlilness   of  the   unregenerate   heart. 
Ho  would  have  the  hinderance  known,  the  dan- 
ger felt,  and  the  evil  of  our  doings  put  away, 
before  he  would  publish  the  remedy.     He  knew 
,  the  importance  of  a  clear  and  impressive  con- 
Iviction  of  our  want,  in  order  to  faith  in  the 
jipromises,  whether  for  the  justification  of  our 
[persons  or  the   sanctification   of  our  nature; 
jand  thus,  by  distributing  to  every  one  his  pro- 
i  per  portion,  the  true  intent  of  a  gospel  minis- 
I  try,  "  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  and  the  edi- 
i  fying  of  the    body  of  Christ,  was  answered." 
The  people  were  led  from  repentance   to  par- 
j  don,  from  pardon  to  holiness,  "  even  to  a  per- 
j  feet  man  ;  unto  the  measure  of  the  stature  of 
;  the  fulness  of  Christ." 

I  His  sincerity  and  fervour,  as  well  as  his 
compassion  and  affection,  were  often  manifest- 
ed by  the  tears  v/hich  ran  copiously  down  his 
face.  Methinks  I  hear  him  consoling  the  wi- 
dow, and  the  fatherless,  or  encouraging  the 
distressed  and  afflicted  poor,  or  comforting  the 
tried  and  tempted  believer !  He  points  to  hea- 
ven, the  rest  of  the  weary,  and  the  home  of  the 
pilgrim — to  heaven,  where  dwells  our  compas- 
sionate great  High  Priest,  who  was  perfected 
through  suffering,  and  who  is  also  able  and  will- 
ing to  succour  those  who  are  tempted — to  hea- 
ven, whither  our  prayers  must  incessantly  as- 
cend to  the  Father,  through  the  mediation  of 
his  dear  Son,  from  whence  strength  shall  be 
given  proportioned  to  our  day  of  suffering. 


W  LIFE  OF   LONGDEN. 

And  desponding  saints,  while  they  have  listen- 1 
ed,  have  found  the  precious  promises  "  A  balm 
for  every  wound,  a  cordial  for  their  fears." 

To  preach  the  gospel   was  only  part  of  hi- 
work,  as  an  under  shepherd  of  Christ's   flock. 
He  had  interviews  with  the  class. leaders  of  the 
respective    societies  ;    inquiring    faithfully   of 
each  the  state  of  his  personal   experience,  his  I 
manner  of  leading  his  class,  the  attendance  of  j 
the  people,  their   growth    in  holiness,  and  the^ 
increase  of  their  numbers,  dtc.  ;  and  if  any  of  ^ 
the  members  were  sick,  he  would  visit   them, 
accompanied  by  the  leader. 

In  the  families  which  kindly  received  the 
preachers,  he  was  ever  about  his  Master's  busi- 
ness. He  knew  that  Christian  ministers  are 
eminently  the  light  of  the  world,  not  only  when 
they  are  in  the  pulpit,  but  in  every  place,  by 
an  elevation  of  sacred  character.  He  had  salt 
in  himself  as  a  divine  principle,  and  he  was  as 
the  salt  of  the  earth  to  spread  the  divine  savour. 
His  words  to  the  parents,  and  children,  and  the 
servants,  were  with  grace  seasoned  with  salt. 
He  would  affectionately  inquire  :  "  Art  thou 
in  health  my  brother,  my  sister  ;  does  thy  soul 
prosper  ?  Are  the  consolations  of  God  small 
with  thee  ?"  He  went  over  one  Saturday  even- 
ing to  the  place  where  he  was  to  preach  the 
following  day.  When  he  arrived,  there  was 
apparently  the  same  complacency  as  usual  be- 
tween his  host  and  hostess,  and  both  of  them 
manifested  their  former  afiection  to  him. 
When  he  had  sat  awhile,  he  said,  "  I  cannot 


LIFE   OP   LONGDEN. 


79 


God  used 

to  dwell  in  this  house,  but  he  is  now  departed 
— I  cannot  stay — I  must  go."  The  good  man 
and  his  wife  seemed  agitated,  and  begged  he 
would  not  go  away.  He  asked,  "  Is  there  not 
an  accursed  thing  ?"  They  replied,  by  an  in- 
genuous confession,  how  Satan  had  crept  in 
between  them  ;  and,  although  the  occasion  was 
trivial,  yet  the  breach  was  serious  and  painful. 
The  snare  was  broken  ;  they  joined  in  prayer 
and  intercession  to  God,  and  he  graciously 
healed  them.  The  habitation  was  again  the 
house  of  God,  and  Mr.  L.  cheerfully  consented 
to  remain  with  them  all  night. 

He  taught  parents  the  magnitude  of  their 
[  duty,  and  the  responsibihty  of  their  station. 
;  He  looked  with  interest  upon  the  children  of 
;  Methodist  parents,  as  their  successors  in  the 
I  church,  when  themselves  should  be  resting  in 
the  grave.  He  often  aimed  at  awakening 
,  their  attention,  as  well  as  conveying  instruc- 
I  tion  to  them,  by  relating  pleasing  and  season. 
i  able  anecdotes,  d:;c.  At  proper  opportunities 
.  he  taught  the  servants  their  duty  to  God  and 
I  man,  and  they  loved  him  for  his  condescension 
',  and  care  for  their  souls. 

When  the  Sheffield  circuit  was  more  exten- 
1  sive  than  it  now  is,  the  itinerant  preachers 
I  frequently  appointed  him  to  hold  the  country 
love-feasts.  He  would  upon  these  occasions 
;  encourage  and  animate  the  people  to  freedom 
1  and  simplicity  in  speaking,  setting  them  the 
i»  example  himself.     He  would  desire  them  to 


85  LIFE    OF    LON'GDEN.  ^ 

speak  short  and  explicitly,  with  reference  to 
their  being  penitents  or  believers,  or  as  being 
jastified  freely,  or  sanctitied  v/holly.  Many 
of  these  Bethels  have  been  at  the  very  gate  of 
heaven,  or  heaven  itself  in  miniature.  The 
people  felt  the  plenitude  of  God,  all  were  filled 
with  the  Spirit,  and  spake  under  his  influence. 
"  If  they  were  not  already  come,  they  were 
journeying  together  unto  Mount  Zion,  and  unto 
the  city  of  the  living  God,  the  heavenly  Jeru- 
salem, and  to  an  innumerable  company  of  angels, 
to  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first- 
born,  which  are  written  in  heaven  and  to  God, 
the  Judge  of  ail,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just  men 
made  perfect,  and  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the 
new  covenant." 

The  most  memorable  of  these  annual  love 
feasts  was  that  which  was  held  on  the  first 
Sunday  in  August,  in  the  Woodlands.  The 
veteran  servants  of  God  came  from  far  to  this 
place.  They  used  to  meet  on  their  way  at 
particular  places  of  rendezvous,  and  came  to 
Hopart  in  companies  over  the  mountains,  in 
the  spirit  of  prayer  and  joyful  anticipation. 
Mr.  L.  preached  and  presided  at  this  love-feast 
more  than  twenty  years,  and  partook  of  the 
common  joy  and  benefit  of  the  saints  in  these 
feasts  of  love. 

I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  publish  several  things 
of  importance  which  follow  in  Mr.  Longden's 
own  words,  transcribed  from  his  private  me- 
moirs. The  first  is  an  account  of  the  great 
revival  of  religion  in  Sheffield,  which  also  con- 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  81 

tains  a  detail  of  his  prejudices  against  it,  and 
tlie  subsequent  method  which  the  Lord  in  con- 
descension took  to  convince  him  that  the  work 
was  really  of  God,  and  not  effected  by  the  will 
of  man. 

I  The  revival  of  religion  in  Sheffield,  in  the 
summer  of  1794,  was  in  the  following  manner  : 
In  the  love-feast  on  Monday,  June  30,  there 
was  nothing  remarkable  observed,  either  in 
speaking  or  in  praying,  till  about  the  time 
iwhen  they  were  about  to  conclude.  Mr.  Moon 
called  upon  one  of  the  local  preachers  to  pray. 
[While  he  was  pleading  with  God,  he  was  car- 
iried  out  of  himself  with  holy  fervour,  in  an  ex- 
'traordinary  manner.  The  Spirit  of  God  came 
las  a  mighty  rushing  wind,  filled  the  place  v/here 
they  were  assembled,  and  overwhelmed  every 
^individual  by  its  powerful  influence.  A  few 
'who  did  not  understand  it,  and  resisted  it,  were 
confounded,  and  in  their  error  escaped  as  for 
itheir  lives.  There  was  presently  a  general, 
iloud,  and  bitter  cry  in  every  part  of  the  chapel. 
■  Mr.  Moon  now  left  the  pulpit,  and  he  and 
ill  the  official  men  and  women  who  had  power 
with  God  in  prayer,  went  from  pew  to  pew, 
seeking  those  who  were  in  distress.  They  in- 
|uiied  into  the  cause  of  that  weeping  and  sor- 

ow,  and  they  pointed  the  penitents  to  "  the 
Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the 
' rvorld  ;"  exhorting   them   to  exercise  faith  in 

lim  as  the  only  Saviour,  able  and  willing  to 
save  them  now.     They  prayed  fervently  for  all 

hose  whom,  upon  inquiry,  they  found  to  have 
6 


83  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

a  genuine  work  of  God  upon  their  souls.  There 
were,  perhaps,  fifty  such  persons  so  engaged 
at  once,  either  praying  for  pardon,  or  singing 
praises  to  God  for  assurance  of  forgiveness. 

Thus  they  continued  praying  and  singing, 
till  one  or  two  o'clock  the  next  morning.  There 
Avas  a  prayer-meeting  held  in  the  chapel,  for 
several  successive  nights  ;  and  the  same  power 
ful  effects  were  wrought  ;  the  people  continued 
together  till  a  late  hour,  and  very  many  sinners 
were  converted  from  the  error  of  their  ways 

Being  detained  from  the  love-feast  hy  urge 
business  at  home,  I  was  much  surprised  wit 
the  accounts  I  received  by  one  and  another  ol 
the  crying  and  apparent  confusion  in  the  chapel 
In  the  evening  1  hastened  to  the  place  to  s 
and  hear  for  myself.  Such  a  scene  present 
itself,  as  I  had  never  witnessed  in  the  churcl 
before  !  In  one  part  I  saw  several  on  tli 
ground,  groaning  as  in  the  agonies  of  death 
in  other  places  persons  were  shrieking  as  i 
they  were  just  about  to  drop  into  liquid  fire 
Many  were  praying  v.ith  all  their  might ;  am 
others  with  joy  beaming  in  their  countenance 
were  shouting  glory  to  God  !  or  singing  prai 
to  him  from  whom  all  blessings  flow ! 

I  was  so  exceedingly  affected  with  the  sigl 
and  sound  of  these  things,  that  my    rnind  w 
filled  with  dread,  and  my  body  shook  and  tre 
bled  !     I  withdrew,  therefore,  to  a  private  co 
ner  of  the  chapel,  that  I  might  silently  observe 
what  was  doing,  if  possible,  with  Christian  can- 
dour ;  but  I  could  not  understand  it :  I  felt  a 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  83 

reverence  full  of  terror,  and  I  returned  home 
quite  confounded. 

Many  of  my  brethren  inquired  of  me  my 
opinion  of  this  strange  work.  I  told  them  I 
did  not  understand  it ;  that  I  had  not  seen 
any  thing  of  the  kind  before  ;  that  1  had  always 
thought  those  were  the  best  seasons  when  the 
Sun  of  righteousness  had  softened,  melted,  and 
dissolved  my  soul,  when  I  was  tilled  with  divine 
love,  and  lost  and  absorbed  in  God. 

Although  I  could  not  actively  join  my  bre- 
thren in  this  work,  I  durst   not  limit  the  Holy 
One  of  Israel,    by  censuring  or  opposing    his 
servants  ;  indeed,  my  daughter  M.  and  my  son 
H.  were  among  the  saved,  and  I  was  convinced 
a   divine   change    had   passed   upon  them.     I 
.  knew  that   they,  as   well    as  scores  of  others, 
I  when  they  went  to  the  chapel,  were  influenced 
\  by  no  higher  motives   than  a  vain   curiosity, 
yet    were    suddenly   and    powerfully    wrought 
upon,  and  that  afterwards  they  gave  incontest- 
able evidence  that  the  change  was  divine. 

Soon  afterwards,  while  I  was  pondering 
these  things  in  my  heart,  I  was  appointed  to 
lead  a  neighbouring  love-feast.  While  I  was 
engaged  in  prayer,  there  was  a  movement 
among  the  people  like  murmuring  waters  :  I 
felt  increasing  power  in  prayer,  and,  as  I  rose 
in  fervour,  the  cry  of  the  people  was  louder 
and  louder,  till  the  whole  place  was  in  a  fer- 
!  ment.  I  durst  not  oppose,  or  check  them,  at  the 
peril  of  my  soul.  The  Lord  had  made  me  fully 
open  to  conviction,  to  know  his  will ;  and  when 


84  LIFE    OF  LONGDEN. 

I  asked  myself,  "  What  must  I  do  ?"  I  found  it 
easy,  yea,  I  was  constrained  in  spirit  to  come 
from  the  pulpit,  and  go  into  the  midst  of  the 
people.  I  passed  from  place  to  place  among 
the  distressed ;  exhorting  them,  and  praying 
■with  them.  Thus  did  the  Lord  destroy  my 
fears,  and  for  ever  take  away  my  scruples,  and 
sweetly  enlisted  me,  a  willing  unworthy  servant, 
in  this  great  revival.  In  this  blessed  cause, 
while  thus  engaged,  I  witnessed  many  such  pen- 
tecostal  seasons  :  and,  O  !  what  struggles  of 
faith  and  prayer,  and  what  transporting  love 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  have  I  often  felt 
on  these  occasions,  even  till  my  poor  body  has 
lano-uished  and  fainted. 

The  recollection  of  my  past  ignorance  of 
this  work,  and  my  feelings  wlien  viewing  it  as 
a  spectator,  make  it  easy  for  me  to  bear  with 
my  well  meaning  brethren  who  have  opposed 
us,  as  if  all  was  the  result  of  inflamed  passions, 
and  not  wrought  by  the  power  of  God.  But 
surely  such  persons  forget  that  in  the  first  and 
every  subsequent  age  of  the  church,  where 
there  have  been  great  revivals  of  religion,  there 
have  been  the  same  outward  effects.* 

*  Let  any  Christian  man  read  witli  candour  the  ac- 
count which  the  revered  father  of  Methodism  gives  in 
his  journals  of  the  effects  of  his  preacliing  at  Bristol 
and  Bath,  from  April  to  June,  1733.  h"A  them  take 
the  same  wary  discrimination  as  the  physician,  Mon- 
day,  April  29,  and  let  them  be  convinced  like  him,  and 
acknowledge  the  finger  of  God.  The  great  Whitefield 
heard  of  these  strange  outward  signs,  which  accorn- 
pauied  the  inward  work  of  God.     On  Sunday,  July  8, 


LIFE   OP   LONGDEN.  85 

In  the  year  1795  a  holy  and  indefatigable 
servant  of  God  was  .appointed  to  labour  in  the 
Sheffield  circuit.  He  continued  with  us  three 
years,  during  which  time  about  fifteen  hundred 
souls  were  added  to  our  society.  I  was  much 
struck  with  his  manner  and  spirit.  I  never 
witnessed  in  any  other  man  such  burning  love 
to  God  and  man,  and  such  unwearied  diligence 
in  preaching,  praying,  exhorting,  and  visiting 
from  house  to  house.  I  had  the  happiness  of 
obtaining  his  confidence  and  friendship,  from 
which  I  have  gained  more  knowledge  and  holi- 
ness  than  from  all  other  men.  It  was  not  till 
now  that  I  had  clear.  Scriptural  views  of  sanc- 
tification,  and  the  method  of  obtaining  it,  nor 
was  I  before  fully  established  in  the  experience 
of    that   blessing.      Perceiving  its  nature,    I 

he  preaclied  to  the  people  himself.  As  soon  as  he  be- 
gan,  in  the  application  of  his  sermon,  to  invite  all  sin- 
ners to  believe  in  Christ,  four  persons  sank  down  close 
to  him,  nearly  in  the  same  moment ;  one  lay  without 
either  sense  or  motion  ;  a  second  trembled  exceedingly ; 
the  third  had  stron;^  convulsions  all  over  his  body,  but 
made  no  noise,  unless  by  g-roans ;  and  the  fourth, 
equally  convulsed,  called  upon  God  with  strong  cries 
and  tears  :  thus  he  found  his  objections  were  chiefly 
grounded  upon  gross  misrepresentation  of  matter  of 
fact.  From  this  time,  saith  Mr.  Wesley,  I  trust  we 
shall  all  be  willing  for  God  to  carry  on  his  own  work 
^>^  the  way  that  pleaseth  him.  And  let  every  sincere 
inquirer  read  Mr.  W.'s  statement  of  plain  facts,  and  his 
reasonings  upon  the  subject,  on  the  20th  May  the  same 
year,  and  say  whether  this  is  work  that  bi-ingeth  to 
naught  the  wisdom  of  the  wise.  In  this  way  I  have  no 
doubt,  only  in  a  far  greater  degree  and  extent,  God  will 
arise  to  evangelize  the  whole  world. 


\ 

86  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

was  freed  from  every  scruple,  and  had  a  divine 
power  at  all  times  freely  io  give  up  and  fully 
to  devote  my  little  all  to  God.  I  saw  that  we 
may  stand  in  this  state  of  salvation,  and  be 
faithful  to  grace  received,  v»ith  different  degrees 
of  proportion,  and  consequently  make  more  or 
less  proficiency  in  holiness  and  communion 
with  God.  I  feel  more  than  ever  an  humbhng 
sense  of  my  coming  short  of  the  glory  of  God. 
I  see  a  more  narrow  and  a  more  excellent  way, 
"  to  be  strengthened  with  all  might,  accordinor 
to  his  glorious  power,  unto  all  patience  and  long 
suffering  with  joyfulness,  and  to  be  filled  with 
all  the  fulness  of  God." 

In  the  midst  of  these  days  of  grace,  Satan, 
that  avowed  enemy  of  the  church's  prosperity, 
found  means  to  sow  the  seeds  of  contention 
among  us.  The  r.nhappy  division  which 
took  place  in  the  year  1796,  caused  the  lovers 
of  Zion  to  mourn,  and  Satan  to  triumph.  Mr. 
Longden  studied,  he  prayed,  he  wrote,  he  tra- 
veiled,  to  prevent,  if  possible,  the  threatened 
breach. 

In  conjunction  with  his  friend,  W.  E.  Mil- 
ler, he  wrote  the  following  address  to  the  Me- 
thodist society  in  Sheffield. 

"  Dear  Brethren, — It  is  with  hearts  fill, 
ed  with  the  tenderest  concern  for  your  eternal 
welfare,  that  we  now  address  you.  The  events 
which  have  recently  occurred  in  the  Methodist 
connection  are  so  awful,  and  the  consequences 
may  be  so  dreadful,  that  we  are  compelled  to 
make  this  one  open  appeal ;  beseeching  you  by 


LIFE    OE    LONGDEN.  87 

all  the  ties  of  Christian  fellowship — ^by  all  the 
blessed  privileges  we  enjoy — and  by  all  those 
sacred  seasons  of  power  and  love  which  we 
have  spent  together,  to  weigh  solemnly  what  is 
here  submitted  to  your  consideration.  We  ask. 
Is  it  not  owing  to  Methodism  that,  under  God, 
you  have  been  awakened  to  see  and  feel  your 
lost  condition?  have  been  snatched  from  the 
jaws  of  hell,  led  to  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  and 
converted  unto  God?  Have  not  all  your  pre- 
sent springs  of  peace,  and  lively  hopes  of  hea- 
ven, arisen  from  this  source  ?  Has  it  not  been 
your  boast,  that,  in  purity  of  doctrine,  in  num- 
ber of  privileges,  and  in  ability  of  preaching, 
)'ou  have  been  the  highly  favoured  of  the  earth  ? 
Have  you  not  seen  signs  and  wonders  wrought, 
the  arm  of  the  Lord  made  bare,  pentecostal 
visits  of  fire  descending,  and  the  place  wherein 
you  were  assembled,  filled  with  the  glory  of 
God  ?  Are  these  things  true  ?  If  so,  we  ask. 
Have  you  been  robbed  of  one  of  these  pri- 
vileges ?  Has  the  purity  of  your  doctrine 
been  corrupted  ?  or  has  God  withdrawn  his 
presence  from  his  people  ?  You  will  all  answer. 
No.  We  ask  again.  Has  the  gospel  become  ex- 
pensive ?  Are  you  required  to  contribute  more 
to  its  support  than  formerly  ?  Are  you  op- 
pressed with  any  new  burdens  ?  or  are  you  not 
left  at  liberty  to  pay  your  penny  a  week,  or  let 
it  alone,  as  you  feel  most  convenient  ?  Your 
answer  is  ready  :  you  all  acknowledge  there  has 
been  no  alteration  during  the  last  fifty  years. 


Sft  LIFE    OP   LONGDEN. 

"  Dear  brethren,  where  are  the  evils  you 
complain  of?  You  have  perhaps  been  told  that 
the  money  collected  is  not  accounted  for  with 
sufficient  openness.  We  answer,  Apply  to  the 
stewards,  examine  their  books  ;  read  the  annual 
statements  of  the  Kingsw^ood  and  yearly  col- 
lections, published  by  the  conference.  Judge 
for  yourselves ;  use  your  own  eyes  ;  do  not  lis. 
ten  to  the  mistaken  representations  which  are 
so  unfortunately  spread  abroad  ;  neither  be  led 
like  children  in  leading  strings,  when  you  are 
able  to  use  your  own  legs.  But  you  are  in- 
formed that  the  preachers  receive  more  l>om 
the  society  than  is  adequate  to  their  support. 
O  !  brethren,  listen  not  to  reports  which  can 
only  till  your  breasts  with  needless  jealousies 
and  unworthy  suspicions.  We  can  assure  you, 
and  will  prove  it  to  all  that  call  upon  us  for 
information,  that  there  are  scenes  of  distress 
and  misery  among  the  preachers  which  would 
make  your  hearts  bleed.  The  single  preachers 
had  twelve  pounds  per  annum  thirty  years 
since,  and  they  have  no  more  at  present ; 
although  every  article  of  life  is  considerably 
advanced,  yet  the  sum  allowed  for  victuals 
amounts  to  a  trifle  more  than  two  shillings  a 
week  per  head.  The  servant  of  a  reputable 
farmer  has  a  better  provision  than  a  Methodist 
preacher.  We  therefore  entreat  that  you  will 
not  suffer  ill-grounded  prejudice  to  creep  in 
between  you  and  your  preachers.  They  have 
yielded  all  their  money  matters  into  your  hands. 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  89 

'  they  have  thrown  themselves  on  your  mercy  :* 
do  not  tread  them  under  your  feet.  They  are 
your  servants  for  Christ's  sake  :  do  not  wish 
to  make  them  your  slaves. f 

"  Brethren!  brethren !  we  desire  your  real 
happiness,  we  are  zealous  for  your  true  inte- 
rest. We  can  appeal  to  a  heart-searching 
God  when  we  assure  you  that,  if  we  saw  you 
oppressed,  we  would  fly  to  your  relief:  if  we 
saw  corruption  creeping  into  the  connection, 
we  would  cry  aloud  in  the  front  ranks  !  But 
you  are  in  danger  of  being  misled, — of  rush- 
ing into  the  greatest  errors, — of  pulling  down 
(so  far  as  your  influence  extends)  the  noblest 
fabric  which  God  has  erected  since  the  days 
of  the  apostles, — of  dividing  preacher  from 
preacher,  brother  from  brother,  and  sister  from 
sister, — of  stabbing  sterling  Methodism  to  the 
heart,  and  of  preventing  the  effects  of  a  revival 
which  might  have  leavened  the  whole  universe ! 
O  stop  !  stop  !  we  charge  you,  at  the  peril  of 
your  souls,  stop  !  Shall  hell  triumph  ?  Shall 
the  wicked  exult  ]  Shall  sects  and  parties  cry, 
<  Down  with  them,  down  with  them  :  ha  !  ha  ! 
so  would  we  have  it  !'  You  would  tremble  at 
the  thought  of  bringing  a  father's  gray  hairs 
with  sorrow  to  the  grave  by  your  cruelty,  or 
breaking  a  mother's  heart  by  your  ingratitude, 
but  what  are  cruelty  and  ingratitude  to  earthly 

*  Alluding  to  the  Addi-ess  of  the  Conference  to  the 
Methodist  Societies. 

t  Referring  to  the  admission  of  delegates  into  con- 
ference. 


90  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

parents,  compared  with  making  a  rent  in  the 

church,  exposing  precious  souls  to  the  danger 
of  eternal  destruction,  and  opening  a  wide  door 
for  the  wolf  of  hell  to  enter  and  devour  the 
flock  of  Christ  ?  O  !  beware  of  schism — trem- 
ble at  division  ! 

"  Methodists,  be  cautious,  be  firm  ;  remem- 
ber there  never  was  a  division  from  the  body  of 
Methodism  that  prospered.  Stand  still,  and  see 
the  salvation  of  God.  They  that  believe  shall 
not  make  haste.  If  there  should  be  a  party 
that  will  separate,  wait  the  event ;  see  if  the 
ark  of  the  Lord  goes  with  them — whether  they 
have  greater  privileges,  a  cheaper  gospel,  more 
powerful  preaching,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
is  more  evidently  revealed.  Then  you  can  de- 
termine upon  the  propriety  and  necessity  of 
quitting  your  old  ship,  and  venturing  your  all 
upon  a  new  bottom. 

"  Finally,  brethren !  we  love  you,  you 
know  we  love  you.  We  have  spent  our 
strength,  and  impaired  our  health,  in  labouring 
for  your  happiness.  Go  where  you  may,  leave 
us,  think  hardly  of  us,  trample  upon  us;  we 
will  still  Ibllow  you  with  our  tears,  our  prayers, 
and  our  blessings.  We  are  still  willing  to  suf- 
fer the  loss  of  all  things  for  your  sake.  You 
may  break  our  hearts,  but  you  shall  not  tear 
away  our  affection  :  still  this  cry  shall  follow 
you  :  '  Return,  ye  wanderers  ;'  our  arms  and 
our  hearts  shall  be  ever  open  to  receive  you, 
and  our  last  prayer  shall  be,  '  May  the  Metho- 
dists be  one.'     May  one  volume  of  praise,  one 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  91 

cloufl  of  incense,  ascend  to  our  Father  and  our 
God  !  May  the  whole  connection  which  was 
built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  prophets  and 
apostles,  be  again  fitly  joined  together,  and 
compacted  by  that  nourishment  which  every 
joint  supplieth,  and  grow  into  a  holy  temple  in 
the  Lord,  and  be  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of 
God.  Henry  Loxgde?*, 

"  Edward  Miller." 

The  next  step  which  he  took  to  preserve  the 
peace  and  union  of  the  body  was  to  ride  through 
the  Derbyshire  part  of  the  circuit,  and  visit 
every  society,  accompanied  by  his  friend,  Mr. 
A.  Hill.  They  were  received  as  the  angels  of 
God,  and  found  all  in  firm  compact,  determined 
to  abide  by^rimitive  Methodism  even  unto 
death,  except  at  Grindleford-bridge.  Seeing 
them  intent  upon  leaving,  they  did  not  attempt 
to  dissuade  them  from  going.  When  they  had 
taken  a  refreshment,  they  asked  permission  to 
pray  before  they  took  a  final  adieu.  During 
prayer  the  people's  hearts  were  opened,  and  all 
their  former  atTection  flowed  into  them,  pre- 
judice gave  way,  and  they  saw  their  intention 
to  separate  was  not  of  the  Lord.  When  they 
rose  from  their  knees,  they  said  one  to  another, 
"  What  think  you,  brother,  shall  we  go  ?" — 
«  No,  I  think  no\,"  said  one.  "  We  will  thank 
you  to  visit  us  as  usual,"  said  another  ;  so  that, 
under  God,  the  people  there  were  preserved  in 
the  same  mind  one  towards  another,  in  the  bond 
of  unity. 


93  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

Notwithstanding  these  efforts  to  preserve  the 
church,  and  many  more  of  a  similar  nature, 
many  leading  m.en  in  the  Sheffield  society  left 
the  connection  ;  and  many  simple,  well  meaning 
persons  went  alono;  with  them. 

"  What,"  says  Mr.  Longden,  "  are  the  awful 
effects  of  this  division  ?  One  thousand  persons 
separated  from  us.  But  where  is  more  than 
one  half  of  them?  A  very  few  have  returned 
to  us,  humbled  for  their  sin ;  others  feel  their 
loss,  and  have  seen  their  error,  but  cannot  sub- 
mit to  acknowledge  it.  But  very  many  are 
sinners  of  the  most  notorious  kind.  They  arc 
frequenters  of  ale-houses  !  drunkards  !  unclean 
persons  !  deists !  or  professed  infidels  !  I  am 
afraid  the  chief  instruments  in  this  rent  will 
not  rejoice  on  account  of  it  in  the  great  day  of 
the  Lord." 

Notwithstanding  this  serious  rent  in  the 
church,  the  work  of  God  was  carried  forward 
with  mighty  power.  It  was  not  confined  to 
the  town  of  Sheffield  :  but,  by  the  united  ef- 
forts of  the  itinerant  and  local  preachers,  the 
fire  spread  nearly  into  every  part  of  the  circuit. 
Jerusalem  was  in  great  prosperity,  and  the 
converts  of  Zion  were  many.  A  sermon  which 
Mr.  L.  preached  at  Eyana,  is  yet  remembered, 
when  the  Lord  poured  water  upon  the  thirsty, 
and  floods  upon  the  dry  grounds.  Twenty-six 
persons  professed  to  experience  redemption  in 
the  blood  of  Christ,  the  forgiveness  of  all  their 
sins,  most  of  whom  adorn  their  profession,  and 
hold  fast  the  beginning  of  their  confidence  with 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  93 

steadfastnoss  unto  this  day.  This  was  no  strange 
thing ;  it  was  frequently  the  case  in  a  love  feast, 
preaching  or  prayer  meeting,  that  ten  or  twenty 
were  justified  by  faith,  and  returned  home 
praising  a  reconciled  God. 

He  was  not  satisfied  with  preaching  nearly 
every  Sunday,  but  he  frequently  preached  on 
the  week-day  evenings.  When  there  were  only 
three  travelling  preachers  where  there  are  now 
eighteen,  preaching  in  the  country  places  was 
very  seldom  :  the  word  of  God  was  precious, 
and  the  people  would  come  from  far  to  hear  it. 
For  several  years  he  preached  once  a  fortnight 
at  Hallam.  During  another  time  he  preached 
Aveekly  at  Hoyland ;  at  another,  weekly  at 
Thornclitfe,  &;c. 

He  was  frequently  called  by  night  and  by 
day  to  visit  the  sick  and  the  dying.  He  felt  this 
required  all  the  wisdom,  courage,  and  grace  of 
the  most  adult  Christian.  Wisdom  not  to  heal 
when  he  ought  to  wound,  and  not  to  wound 
when  he  ought  to  heal ;  wisdom  to  distinguish 
between  a  fear  of  the  wrath  of  God,  and  a 
hatred  of  sin  and  contrition  of  soul ;  courage 
not  to  shrink  from  a  faithful  and  affectionate 
discharge  of  duty  to  those  who  are  sinking  and 
fainting  under  the  pressure  of  complicated  af- 
fliction ;  and  grace  to  bid  those  of  a  fearful 
heart.  Be  strong  ! — to  show  the  faithfulness  of 
God,  and  conduct  them  triumphantly  over  the 
last  enemy,  quite  to  the  verge  of  heaven :  for 
this  momentous  duty  we  have  witnessed  his 
eminent   qualifications.     We  shudder  at   the 


94  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

recollection  of  his  visiting  a  dying  varnished 
hypocrite,  who,  with  lifted  hands,  was  crying. 
*'  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly  !"  Instantly 
he  interrupted  him,  "  Thou  limb  of  the  devil ! 
thou  firebrand  of  hell!  thou  goat  in  sheep's 
clothino- !  thou  fornicator  !  what  a  game  is  this  ! 
Selling  thy  soul  to  the  devil,  and  crying, 
*  Come  Jesus  :'  rather  cry,  '  Come,  chief  devil,  ,i 
come  quickly  !'  And  will  not  hell  be  hot  enough  \ 
when  thou  liest  down  in  liquid  tire,  that  thou 
shouldst  add  to  all  thy  other  sins  the  sin  of 
hypocrisy  ?  I  must  go  ;  where — where  is  my 
hat  1  I  am  filled  with  horror  !  This  room  is, 
as  it  were,  full  of  devils  !"  The  man  began  to 
cry  aloud,  "  Mercy,  mercy  !  don't  go,  do  stay  : 

0  !  for  mercy !"  He  stayed,  and  heard  a  full  con- 
fession from  the  man  of  his  notorious  sins,  and 
wo  trust  there  was  some  hope  in  his  death. 

Being  from  home  on  a  journey,  a  friend  told 
him  the  case  of  a  dying  man,  an  opulent  mer- 
chant, whom  several  had  visited  ;  and  he  wished 
Mr.  L.  would  see  him  also.  When  he  was  in- 
troduced  into  the  chamber  of  affliction,  he  be- 
held  a  pale,  intelligent  countenance,  full  of  sor . 
row,  tinctured  with  despair  ;  his  eyes  looked 
full  of  grief!  Mr.  L.  asked  him  of  his  health, 
and  then  inquired  respecting  his  views  of  an- 
other world,  and  his  state  of  preparation  for  it. 
He  said,  "  Sir,  I  am  an  apostate  fallen  spirit  ; 

1  am  undone  ;  I  am  lost  for  ever  !  There  re- 
maineth  no  more  sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a  cer- 
tain fearful  looking  tor  of  judgment  and  fiery 
indignation  which  shall  devour  the  adversaries.^* 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  95 

To  which  he  replied,  "  Will  you  hearken  to  me  ? 
if  you  knew  that  you  were  pleasing  Satan  would 
you  talk  thus  ?"  He  answered,  "  No."  Farther 
he  asked,  "  H  you  knew  you  were  adding  to  all 
your  former  sins,  as  well  as  dishonouring  the 
mercy  of  God  by  talking  thus,  would  you  con- 
tinue to  do  sof"  He  replied,  "  No."  "  Most 
certainly  you  are  doing  all  these :  you  have 
entirely  forgot  that  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ 
are  infinite  ;  and  unless  your  sins  are  more 
than  infinite,  at  least  the  remedy  is  equal  to 
the  disease.  It  is  true,  you  have  wickedly  and 
daringly  lifted  up  your  single  arm  against  the 
Omnipotent :  but  Jesus  Christ  is  the  propitia- 
tion for  all  the  sins  of  all  the  sinners  in  the 
world  ;  and  if  there  were  as  many  rebel  uni- 
verses as  there  are  sinners  in  the  world,  still 
the  number  of  sins  would  be  finite,  committed 
by  finite  creatures,  yet  the  mercy  of  God  could 
more  than  extend  to  all : — the  mercy  of  God  is 
unbounded,  because  the  m.erit  and  mediation  of 
Jesus  Christ  are  infinite."  The  sick  person 
repeated,  "  The  merit  of  Jesus  is  infinite  !  the 
mercy  of  God  is  infinite  ! — then,  may  I  indeed 
be  saved?"  "Yes,"  replied  Mr.  L.,  "  you  may 
be  saved,  and  you  may  be  saved  now.  A  day 
or  a  moment  with  the  Lord  is  as  a  thousand 
years.  Ask  of  God  to  forgive  you  now  for  his 
dear  Son's  sake,  and  it  shall  be  done  unto  you 
according  to  your  faith."  Hope  beamed  in  his 
countenance  ;  and  while  engaged  in  prayer, 
faith  sprung  up  in  his  heart,  and  Jesus  got  him- 
self a  victorious  name.     With  astonishment  he 


96  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 

exclaimed,  "  What  hath  God  wrought !  He' 
hath  taken  me  from  a  horrible  pit  of  darkness 
and  despair,  and  hath  brought  me  into  his  mar- 
vellous  hght.  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  livcth  ; 
I  shall  soon  see  the  king  in  his  beauty  ;  I  bless 
the  day  that  I  was  born,"  &c.,  d:c.  He  sur- 
vived a  few  days,  and  then  his  spirit  escaped 
to  his  great  Redeemer. 

In  the  year  1800,  after  preaching  at  Br d, 

he  was  told  there  was  a  person,  a  publican,  very 
ill  indeed  of  an  infectious  fever,  but  no  one 
durst  go  near  him  for  fear  of  the  infection. 
One  of  the  friends  asked  Mr.  L.  if  he  durst  visit 
him.  "  Yes,"  he  replied,  "  I  never  had  any 
fear  in  the  way  of  duty."     He  went  and  found 

J.  H e,  apparently  near  death.     When  he 

was  seated,  he  asked  him  what  prospect  he  had 
before  him  if  this  sickness  were  unto  death? 
He  tbund  the  afflicted  person  had  been  brought 
to  serious  reflection  in  the  course  of  his  illness. 
The  following  words  had  been  applied  to  him, 
as  the  means  of  his  awakening  :  "  Thou  shalt 
love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart." 
He  saw  that  he  had  loved  almost  every  other 
object  with  all  the  heart — with  "  the  full  capa- 
city,  the  whole  power  of  the  soul ;"  but  to  the 
Lord  God  he  had  rendered  a  mere  formal  out- 
ward  service.  He  said,  "  I  am  wretched,  I  am 
in  the  dark ;  and  what  to  do  to  obtain  salva- 
tion I  cannot  tell."  He  saw  his  sin,  he  felt 
his  danger,  he  had  a  broken  heart  and  a  con- 
trite spirit ;  but  he  was  perishing  for  lack  of 
knowledge :  he  was  quite  ignorant  of  the  cove- 


LIFE   OP  LONGDEN.  97 

nant  of  mercy,  of  the  way  of  faith  in  the  blood 
of  Christ,  in  order  to  salvation. 

While  Mr.  L.  unfolded  the  way  of  a  sinner's 
approach  to  God,  the  means  of  salvation,  the 
witness  of  the  Spirit,  the  nature  and  excellence 
of  religion,  the  sick  man  listened,  and  drank 
these  gospel  truths  with  astonishment  and  gra- 
titude. He  furthermore  told  him  the  manner 
of  his  own  conversion  ;  and  added,  that  for 
more  than  twenty  years  he  had  not  had  a  doubt 
of  his  acceptance,  or  any  fear  of  death  :  and, 
if  God  were  to  call  him  that  hour,  he  had  not 
any  thing  to  do  for  eternity,  "  except  the  ar- 
rangement of  a  few  family  affairs."  Our  friend 
H e  thought,  I  cannot  believe  he  would  de- 
ceive a  dying  man  ;  and  if  what  he  says  be 
true,  there  is  a  blessed  something  in  religion 
which  I  never  knew  or  heard  of. 

Mr.  L.  kneeled  down  to  pray,  but  his  prayers 
were  soon  turned  into  praises  :  "  Lord,"  he 
said,  "  1  know  thou  wilt  save  thy  servant,  and 
his  vvhole  house."  The  sick  man  exclaimed, 
"  Blessed  Lord  !  thou  hast  sent  one  of  thy  pro- 
phets to  declare  my  salvation,  and  the  salva- 
tion of  my  household." 

This  was  soon  realized.  He  began  to  reco- 
ver, and  soon  inherited  the  promises  of  mercy. 
His  wife,  who  also  was  an  earnest  seeker  of 
salvation,  was  presently  made  happy  in  the 
love  of  God.  Martha,  their  niece,  who  soon 
after  resided  with  them,  was  savingly  convert- 
ed. And  the  servant  man  became  also  a  ser- 
vant of  the  living  God. 
7 


98  LIFE   OF  LONGDEN. 

Not  long  after,  Mr.  L.,  in  a  love-feast,  was 
telling  the  goodness  of  God  to  this  family,  and 
he  added,  "  I  only  know  of  one  thing  that  is 
wanting,  which   is,    that   the  sign  may   come 

down."    Our  brother  H e  rose  up  and  said, 

"  I  am  a  living  witness  of  the  truth  of  these 
things,  and  I  bless  the  Lord,  he  has  already 
blown  the  sign  down  ;  I  have  made  a  free  sa- 
crifice  of  all  to  him,  and  I  find  his  service  my 
reward." 

At  one  period  there  was  a  very  afflictive 
winter  in  Sheffield.  Work  was  very  scarce, 
the  flour  was  very  unsound,  bread  and  provi- 
sions were  very  dear,  and  withal,  in  many 
places,  a  fever  was  raging  with  alarming  pro- 
gross.  A  strict  inquiry  was  made  into  the 
circumstances  of  every  poor  family  in  the  so- 
ciety ;  and  that  winter,  we  believe,  every  lack 
of  food  was  supplied  to  all.     One  family  which 

Mr.  Longden,  accompanied  by  Mr.  W n, 

visited,  deserves  notice,  as  it  evinces  to  what 
extremities  God  suffers  his  servants  to  be  re- 
duced ;  but  that  he  is  immutably  faithful,  who 
hath  said,  "  Trust  in  the  Lord,  and  do  good,  so 
shalt  thou  dwell  in  the  land,  and  verily  thou 
Shalt  be  fed." 

The  family  alluded  to  lived  in  the  outer  part 

of  the  town  :  when  Mr.  L.  and  Mr.  W n 

reached  the  house,  they  found  the  door  fasten- 
ed, and  the  window-shutters  closed.  They 
knocked  at  the  door  again  and  again,  louder 
and  louder  ;  but  all  was  still.  They  then  in- 
quired  at  the  nearest  neighbour's  house,  whe- 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  99 

ther  the  family  was  removed  ?  "  No,"  they 
said,  "  they  are  all  ill  of  the  fever ;  we  visited 
thern  as  long  as  we  durst,  but  the  fever  is  so 
bad  that  we  really  durst  not  risk  our  lives  any 
longer."  They  now  returned,  determined  to 
break  the  house  open.  First  they  knocked  and 
vociferated  at  the  door  ;  presently  they  heard 
the  foot  of  the  poor  man  coming  to  open  the 
door.  They  entered  the  house,  walked  up 
stairs,  and  beheld  a  most  affecting  scene  !  A 
pious  lather  and  mother,  and  several  children, 
without  a  friend  !  without  money  !  without 
bread  !  all  sick  ;  but  no  medicine  !  no  cordial ! 
All  their  store  was  just  finished,  except  a  piece 
of  an  orange,  and  there  had  been  a  contest 
who  should  have  the  last  bit !  the  youngest 
child  was  to  have  it ! 

The  father  of  this  afflicted  family  they  found 
a  true  son  of  Abraham  ;  "  he  did  not  charge 
God  foolishly,  but  patiently  endured,  as  seeing 
him  who  is  invisible."  He  was  assured  that 
the  Judge  of  the  whole  earth  would  do  right. 
And  help  came  in  the  time  and  manner  of 
God's  appointment,  and  to  his  glory. 

By  kind  attention  the  lives  of  the  whole 
family  were  redeemed  from  destruction.  They 
were  spared  to  one  another,  and  restored  to 
the  community.  Doubtless  the  two  visiters 
felt  the  blessedness  of  giving,  which  Job  so  hap- 
pily expresses  :  "  When  the  ear  heard  me,  then 
it  blessed  me  :  and  when  the  eye  saw  me,  then 
it  gave  witness  to  me,  because  I  delivered  the 
poor  that  cried,  and  him  that  had  none  to  help 


100  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

him.  And  the  blessing  of  them  that  were  ready 
to  perish  came  upon  me." 

That  he  might  embrace  every  mode  of  use- 
fulness to  the  church,  he  had  a  select  corre 
spondence.  He  had  intercourse,  by  this  means, 
with  some  of  the  best  men  and  women  of  the 
age  in  which  he  lived  :  and  as  a  father  in  the 
gospel,  he  did  not  refuse  the  solicitations  of 
those  who  needed  and  sought  religious  instruc- 
tion. To  show  his  ability  in  this  respect,  we 
have  transcribed  the  three  following  letters  ; 
the  first  was  written  to  a  young  lady  of  supe- 
rior endowments,  whom  he  saw  exposed  to  some 
danger. 

"  Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  attend  you,  from 
God  our  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Your  kind  letter  gave  me  much  pleasure.  In 
answer  to  your  inquiries,  I  observe,  that  when 
trials  and  temptations  are  permitted  to  assail 
us,  the  gracious  design  is  either  to  prevent  some 
evil,  or  to  discover  some  vreakness ;  to  cure 
some  spiritual  malady,  or  to  exercise  and  ma- 
ture our  graces,  and  thereby  brighten  our 
crown  of  rejoicing  for  ever.  If  we  are  faith- 
ful, (i.  e.,  if  we  constantly  look  to  God  for  help 
and  direction,  and  exercise  our  faith  which 
worketh  by  love.)  be  assured,  the  evil  will  be 
prevented,  the  good  obtained,  and  God  will  be 
glorified. 

"  Your  next  remark  relates  to  the  praise  or 
blame  which  cometh  of  man.  As  it  respects 
you  and  me,  it  is  nothing  but  a  blast  of  wind, 
inasmuch  as  we  are  what  we  are  in  the  sight 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  101 

of  God.  It  is  a  base  spirit  which  seeks  the 
praise  of  man,  and  that  is  a  proud  spirit  which 
rejects  and  spurns  at  reproof.  Nevertheless, 
with  reference  to  others,  and  our  own  useful- 
ness as  pubHc  characters,  we  should  be  care- 
ful to  avoid  the  very  appearance  of  evil.  What 
Mr.  C.  said  was  perhaps  improper.  I  hope 
you  will  ever  act  according  to  the  teaching  of 
Ihe  Spirit  of  God,  which  always  accords  with 
the  rule  of  his  word. 

"  You  have  nothing  whereof  to  be  proud  ; 
ever)^  talent  which  you  possess,  the  Lord  has 
bestov/ed  ;  and  I  am  certain  that  many  have 
received  more  grace  than  either  you  or  I  expe- 
rience. There  are  two  things  for  v/hich  you 
ought  to  feel  constantly  thankful ;  I  mean,  sirh- 
plicity  and  sincerity,  as  well  as  the  adorning 
of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which,  in  the  sight 
of  God,  is  of  great  price.  With  these  you  have 
doubtless  many  defects  ;  I  wish  you  could  gain 
the  mastery  of  one  particularly.  What  I  refer 
to  is  your  stammering,  both  in  conversation 
and  in  prayer  ;  I  believe  there  is  no  defect  in 
your  organs  of  speech.  You  appear  sometimes 
either  mentally  absent,  or  to  be  hurried  bevond 
the  subject,  or  you  have  an  influx  of  ideas 
which  flow  in  upon  you,  and  instantly  you  be- 
gin to  say — I — I — I,  as  if  giving  yourself  time 
for  recollection.  1  believe  you  may  avoid  this, 
if,  for  a  season,  you  speak  and  pray  deliberate- 
ly, in  easy  v/ords  and  short  sentences. 

"  You  ask,  '  Why  did  God  make  man  free  to 
stand  or  fall  V     For  this  plain  reason,  because 


102  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

if  it  had  been  otherwise,  he  would  not  have 
been  a  man,  but  an  irrational  creature.  God 
hath  prepared  a  better  state  as  a  reward  ;  but 
if  man  were  not  free,  (i.  e.,  created  with  every 
possible  motive  to  obedience,  and  barely  possi- 
ble that  he  should  fall.)  he  could  not  be  account- 
able ;  and  if  he  were  not  accountable,  he  could 
not  be  rewarded.  But  the  end  and  consum- 
mation of  his  being  is  an  eternal  reward,  there- 
fore he  was  created  free.  But  you  ask,  '  Can 
a  man  who  once  had  faith  be  lost  V  I  think 
so,  because  Scripture  and  experience  testify 
that  a  good  man  may  fall  into  acts  of  sin,  and 
sin  is  dishonourable  to  God  ;  but  the  eternal 
punishment  of  sin  is  not  dishonourable  to  God. 
If  he  permit  the  former,  he  will  inflict  the  latter. 
*  But  will  not  God  restore  those  who  are  fallen, 
if  they  repent  ?' — Yes,  a  thousand  times. 

"  With  respect  to  using  words  in  private 
prayer,  no  directions  can  be  given,  but  to  use 
that  method  which  is  most  profitable.  We 
have  the  privilege  of  every  mode,  but  we  are 
confined  to  none. 

"  Permit  me  now  to  give  you  a  little  advice. 
If  it  be  possible,  find  out  all  your  defects,  both 
inward  and  outward.  Examine  yourself  faith- 
fully,  and  you  will  discover  what  was  before 
unknown  :  pray  earnestly  to  God,  and  he  will 
show  you  what  had  escaped  your  own  re- 
searches. Be  not  discouraged  with  the  sight, 
but  set  about  having  them  removed.  Do  not 
talk  much  in  company.  When  yo:i  converse, 
let  it  arise  from  a  conviction  of  your  duty,  in 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  103 

the  Spirit  of  God.  Young,  red-hot  professors 
often  talk  too  much.  Never  illustrate  any 
truth  from  your  own  experience,  but  from  the 
word  of  God  as  the  only  standard.  You  may 
mention  your  own  faults  and  past  errors,  by 
way  of  caution  to  others.  When  you  give  re- 
proof, have  respect  to  your  own  spirit,  motive, 
and  manner ;  and  let  it  not  only  be  seasonable 
to  the  state  of  the  person,  but  have  a  regard 
to  the  proper  time  and  circumstances.  Final- 
ly, husband  your  time,  and  do  all  you  can  for 
God  ;  not  with  an  eye  to  reward  from  man ; 
no,  not  even  a  smile  from  man  :  and  you  shall 
have  a  full  reward  from  the  Lord  Christ ;  so 
shall  you  ever  continue  to  be  a  comfort  and  a 
blessing  to  me. 

"  I  am  receiving  more  of  God,  and  I  appear 
less  to  myself.  I  see  a  fulness  of  love  in  Jesus 
Christ.  I  want  nothing  else  :  I  seek,  I  strive, 
I  labour  for  nothing  else  but  closer  communion 
with  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

"  I  am,  &c.,  &c.     He^ry  Lo:>fGDEN," 


LETTER  TO  A  YOUNG  ITINERANT  PREACHEK, 

WHO  WENT  OUT  FROM  SHEFFIELD. 

"  Very  dear  Brother, — I  rejoice  to  hear  of  the 
health  of  your  body,  the  peace  of  your  mind, 
and  a  blessed  prospect  of  success  in  your 
labours. 

"  You  inquire  how  you  may  be  useful.  Your 
great  object  m.ust  be  improvement  in  real  vital 
EoUness — in  ministerial  abilities.    To  improve 


104  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

ill  holiness,  you  must  avoid  every  thing  which 
brings  darkness  into  the  soul,  by  grieving  the 
Spirit.  We  know  that  all  persons  are  not  in 
equal  danger  from  the  same  thing.  Some 
grieve  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  by  idleness, 
lounging  away  their  time  in  any  thing  or  no. 
thing.  Some  suffer  loss  by  not  exercising  a 
proper  guard  over  their  thoughts.  They  cast 
the  reins  upon  the  neck,  and  their  vain  ima- 
gination leads  them  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 
And  others  suffer  great  loss  for  want  of  a  spi- 
ritual conversation.  They  talk  about  the  world 
and  politics,  about  any  thing  or  nothing  :  are 
trifling  or  serious,  as  most  suits  the  company 
where  they  are. 

"  If  you  desire  to  be  eminently  useful,  be 
eminently  holy.  Avoid  then  idleness,  as  you 
would  drunkenness  ;  be  always  usefully  em- 
ployed* I  would  recommend  you  always  to 
have  an  object  in  view.  Whether  you  think, 
or  read,  or  preach,  or  travel,  or  converse,  al- 
ways aim  at  something — your  own  improve- 
ment, the  good  of  others,  and  the  glory  of  God. 
I  do  not  need  to  inform  you,  that  the  best  and 
surest  way  to  grow  in  personal  godliness  is  to 
live  habitually  in  the  spirit  of  prayer.  We 
cannot  pray  too  much.  I  believe  a  preacher 
may  learn  more  by  prayer  than  by  all  other 
means.  W^ould  it  not  be  well  for  you  to  rise 
early  ?  to  divide  your  time  into  portions,  and 
see  that  prayer  occupy  several  hours  in  every 
day  ?  Dear  Jackey,  take  notice  not  to  follow 
the  example  of  others  with  relation  to  prayer. 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEX.  105 

To  pray  much  upon  your  knees,  or  upon  your 
face,  before  God,  may  not  be  profitable  at  first ; 
but  persevere,  and  your  strength  and  commu- 
nion with  God  will  abundantly  increase,  even 
until  you  are  all  prayer  and  all  praise, 
i  "  If  by  prayer  you  maintain  a  spiritual  frame 
of  mind,  you  will  find  it  easy  to  govern  and 
expel  all  sinful  and  unprofitable  thoughts.  And 
your  conversation  must  be  spiritual,  minister- 
jing  edification  to  all.  By  this  means  your 
;way  will  be  open,  your  character  established, 
and  your  usefulness  abundant  in  the  Lord. 

"  My  paper  fails  me  to  speak  of  your  im- 
'provement  in  ministerial  abilities.  I  will  leave 
!that  till  a  future  opportunity. 
,  "  The  Lord  is  still  kind  and  gracious  to  me. 
Through  his  mercy  I  walk  at  liberty,  increas- 
^ing  in  humble  love.  My  body  is  a  clog  to  the 
lactivity  of  my  soul,  and  often  presses  me  down  : 
ithough  I  am  rather  stronger  than  formerly.  In 
;the  midst  of  all,  my  comfort  is  to  know  that  I 
;am  in  the  vvill  of  God. 

!     "  Miss   Mary  Unwin  is   gone  triumphantly 
to  glory  !     Hallelujah  to  God  and  the  Lamb  ! 
|We  shall  all  soon  meet  in  heaven. 
,  "  I  am,  &;c.,  &;c.     Henry  Loxgden." 


[LETTER  TO  AN  AFFLICTED,  DESPONDING  SAINT. 

I  "  My  dear  Brother, — I  feel  a  kind  of  melan- 
icholy  pleasure  in  reading  your  letter.  It  af- 
jfords  me  true  pleasure  to  observe,  from  the 
1  general  tenor  of  your  epistle,  that  your  spirit 


106  LIFE    OP   LONGDEN. 

is  humble  :  you  have  abasing  thoughts  of  your- 
self, and  exalted  thoughts  of  Christ.  There  is 
a  spirit  of  sincerity  throughout.  There  is  no 
deceit  either  in  your  heart  or  life  :  you  desire 
to  appear  what  you  really  are  ;  and  you  desire 
to  be  what  God  would  have  you  to  be.  You 
are  willing  to  give  up  any  thing,  if  you  might 
get  nearer  to  God  ;  and  you  are  willing  to  en- 
dure all  that  the  Lord  is  pleased  to  inflict. 

"  When  you  have  read  thus  far,  methinks  1 
see  you  pause,  shake  your  head,  change  colour, 
and,  sighing,  say,  '  This  is  not  true  ;  my  friend 
Longden  is  mistaken.'     I  answer.  It  is  my  dear 

discouraged  brother  L s  that  is  mistaken, 

and  it  will  be  fully  proved  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment,  when  you  shall  shine  as  a  bright  star  in 
the  kingdom  of  your  Father.  But  I  am  willing 
that  the  Spirit  of  God  should  now  decide  be- 
tween us  :  here  I  will  kneel  down  and  ask  my 
God  to  shine  upon  this  letter,  upon  my  mind, 
and  upon  yours.  Now,  after  prayer,  I  find 
myself  confirmed  in  my  opinion.  But  you 
object,  *  Why  then  am  I  not  happy  ?  Why 
am  I  not  filled  with  love,  and  praise,  and  grati- 
tude ?  Why  am  I  troubled  with  doubts  of  my 
acceptance?  Why  do  I  feel  so  much  self-will,  and 
so  many  sinful  tempers,  viz.,  forgetfulness  and 
impatience  ;  and  sometimes  they  break  out  in 
angry  looks  and  sharp  words  ?  Why  do  I  feel 
such  a  backwardness  to  duty,  especially  pri- 
vate prayer  and  faithful  self-examination  ?  If 
your  statement  be  true,  why  does  every  thing 
appear  so  dark  for  time  and  eternity  V 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  107 

"  Hear  me  with  patience,  and  I  will  answer 
you.  The  reasons  are,  you  have,  in  general, 
an  afflicted  body.  If  your  health  improves, 
and  strength  increases,  do  you  not  feel  an  in- 
crease of  spiritual  comfort  ?  Your  mind  is  de- 
pressed, and  weakened  in  its  spiritual  exer- 
cises, by  your  enfeebled  body.  But  does  God 
smile  or  frown  according  to  the  degrees  of  your 
inward  vigour,  and  not  rather  look  at  the  inte- 
grity of  the  heart  ?  You  have  been  so  long  in 
the  habit  of  doubting  and  distrusting  God  and 
believing  the  devil,  that  you  scarcely  feel  com- 
fort in  any  thing  but  writing  bitterness  and  wo 
against  yourself. 

"  You  ask,  •  What  would  you  advise  me  to 
do  V  Consider  the  Almighty  as  your  father 
and  unchanging  friend ;  that  he  is  striving 
every  day,  and  every  moment,  in  a  thousand 
ways,  and  by  a  thousand  means,  to  bless  you. 
Consider  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  has  really 
and  personally  died  for  you  ;  that  he  is  this 
and  every  moment  pleading  your  cause  at  the 
right  hand  of  God.  Consider,  again,  that  the 
Holy  Ghost  has  enlightened  your  dark  mind, 
and  quickened  your  dead  soul ;  that  He  who 
has  raised,  has  often  restored  your  soul,  and 
given  you  his  peace  and  pardoning  love.  Re- 
member the  eternal  Trinity  loves  you  with  an 
infinite  love  !  that  God  desires  your  happiness 
with  an  infinite  desire  !  He  has  begun  a  good 
work,  with  the  purpose  to  perform  and  perfect 
it  unto  the  day  of  Christ.  Although  he  af- 
flicts, perhaps  he  sees  you  and  I  can  be  saved 


108  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 

in  no  other  way.  And  do  not  only  consider 
these  things,  but  beUeve  them ;  yes,  beUeve 
them  cordially,  and  you  will  receive  strength  to 
suffer  patiently,  to  fight  mantlill}",  and  to  resist 
every  adversary  steadfast  unto  the  end. 

"  You  say,  '  You  could  do  all  this  if  you  were 
a  child  of  God.'  And  v»hat  is  it  that  will  as- 
sure you  that  you  are  a  child  of  God  ?  One 
great  proof  is,  a  being  freed  from  the  carnal 
mind,  which  is  enmity  against  God,  and  to  have 
a  desire  in  all  things  to  please  God.  You  must 
know  that  your  heart  is  changed  by  the  Spirit 
of  God.  Why  were  the  races  so  hateful  to 
you  ?  Why  could  you  not  take  your  family 
there,  as  eager  to  see  as  the  crowds  that  were 
there?  Would  it  not  give  you  pain  to  join  in 
the  assembly  of  the  wicked  ?  Have  you  any 
greater  pleasure  than  attending  the  means  of 
grace?  Any  greater  enjoyment,  than  in  the 
holy  conversation  of  a  lively  friend  ?  Do  you 
not  love  every  man  in  proportion  as  you  believe 
he  bears  the  image  of  God  ?  You  answer  in 
the  affirmative,  but  complain  of  a  hard  heart. 
I  grant  you  are  not  fully  sanctified,  but  are  not 
these  the  fruits  of  justification  ]  Where  do 
they  grow  ?  Not  in  nature's  garden,  but  in  a 
regenerated  heart.  You  are  justified,  and  you 
may  be  sanctified  too.  Is  not  God  able  to 
save,  even  now  ?.  O  my  brother  !  look  up,  be- 
hold the  Lord  waits  to  be  gracious,  even  now 
is  the  accepted  time. 

"  Take  my  advice  for  one  month,  and  see  if 
you  do  not  go  better  forward.    Dare  to  believe 


LIFE   OP   LONGDEiy.  109 

that  God  is  now  your  reconciled  Father,  through 
the  death  of  his  Son.  Draw  near  unto  him 
with  confidence  as  such  :  in  your  approaches 
to  him,  tell  him  all  your  cares,  and  fears,  and 
wants,  and  wait  in  faith  for  an  answer.  And 
endeavour  to  cultivate  a  thankful  frame  of  mind, 
by  the  remembrance  of  his  care  over  you,  and 
his  goodness  unto  you  and  yours ;  and  then 
your  happy  life  will  sweetly  glide  away  jn 
thankful  songs  of  praise.  The  Lord  grant  it 
for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

"  I  am,  my  dear  brother,  yours  very  affec- 
tionately in  Christian  bonds, 

"  He?s-ry  Longden." 

Mr.  Longden  was  not  only  a  burning  and  a 
shining  ligiit  at  home,  in  his  family,  and  in  the 
church  of  God,  but  the  last  fifteen  years  of  his 
life,  as  he  was  not  occupied  with  any  personal 
attention  to  business,  he  made  frequent  excur- 
sions in  company  with  a  friend  or  preacher 
who  was  like-minded,  saying,  "  Let  us  go  again, 
and  visit  our  brethren  in  every  city,  where  we 
have  preached  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  see 
how  they  do." 

In  his  tour  in  1797-8,  to  York,  Hull,  dec, 
he  spent  a  few  days  at  Gainsborough.  A  cir- 
cumstance which  occurred  there  will  serve  to 
show  the  great  power  of  faith  and  importunate 
prayer.  Under  preaching  on  the  Sabbath 
morning,  a  boy  and  a  girl,  who  were  brother 
and  sister,  were  deeply  affected.  When  they 
returned  home,  their  disquietude  of  spirit  still 
increased  :  the  boy  retired  to  give  vent  to  his 


110  LIFE   OP  LONGDEN. 

feelings  ;  and  the  girl,  feeling  the  arrows  of  the 
Almighty,  wept  sorely,  and  could  not  be  com- 
forted. 

The  parents  sent  for  Mr.  Longden  and  Mr. 
Nelson,  (who  had  met  him  by  appointment  at 
this  place.)  They  went  to  the  house  and  con- 
versed with  the  girl.  "  I  feel  the  smart  of  a 
wounded  spirit,"  she  said  :  "  if  there  be  any 
mercy  for  me,  do  pray."  They  joined  in  so- 
lemn prayer,  and  in  about  half  an  hour  she 
passed  from  death  unto  life  :  the  divine  change 
which  was  wrought,  was  as  clear  as  it  was  sud- 
den. Like  a  little  cherub,  she  ran  across  the 
room,  and  embraced  her  mother  ;  and  declared 
to  her,  in  astonishing  language,  what  the  Lord 
had  done  for  her  soul.  The  mother  burst  into 
tears,  and  exclaimed,  "  O  !  my  child  is  saved, 
and  I,  a  poor  backslider,  am  in  the  way  to  ruin  ! 
What  must  I  do  ?  I  cannot,  no,  I  will  not  rest 
till  I  have  redemption  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  the 
forgiveness  of  my  sins.  Is  there  any  hope  for 
me  ?  Wretch  that  I  am,  to  leave  my  Saviour  !" 
They  published  Jesus  Christ,  an  advocate  with 
the  Father,  even  for  poor  backsliders.  Desire, 
hope,  expectation,  and  faith,  in  succession, 
sprang  up  in  her  soul,  and  presently,  in  answer 
to  prayer,  she  was  restored  to  the  light  of  God's 
countenance,  and  the  joys  of  his  salvation. 

Their  attention  next  was  called  to  the  father, 
who  continued  to  kneel  in  a  corner,  crying, 
"  O  !  my  Jack  ;  O  !  my  Jack  !"  Now  they 
heard  the  boy  roaring  upon  the  stairs.  They 
brought  him  into  the  room,  and  inquired  what 


LIFE    OP   LONGDEN.  Ill 

was  the  cause  of  his  sorrow.  "  My  sins,"  he  said, 
"  and  if  they  be  not  soon  removed,  they  will 
sink  me  into  hell."  They  asked  him,  "  But 
how  must  your  sins  be  removed  ?"  "  Jesus 
Christ,"  he  said,  "  must  take  them  away,  no 
one  else  can.  If  I  could  but  believe  that  he 
would  do  it — but  O  !  I  am  so  great  a  sinner  !" 
Here  he  burst  out  weeping  again,  as  if  there 
were  no  hope  for  him.  They  instructed  and 
encouraged  him  ;  and,  while  they  spake,  and 
prayed,  the  boy  was  not  less  satisfactorily  de- 
livered from  guilt  and  condemnation  than  the 
two  former. 

About  this  time  he  visited  Nottingham,  ac- 
companied by  Mr.  Wilkinson.    Miss  C.  S n 

speaking  of  it,  says,  "  A  short  time  previous  to 
Mr.  Longden's  visit  to  us,  the  Lord  poured  his 
Spirit  upon  his  people  in  his  quickening  influ- 
ences. I  am  not  certain  that  he  knew,  when 
he  came  among  us,  that  the  '  fields  were  already 
white  unto  harvest ;'  but  he  was  evidently  sent 
as  an  able  and  willing  instrument  in  the  pro- 
motion of  a  revival  of  pure  religion. 

"  Two  sermons  which  he  preached  in  Hock- 
ley chapel  were  attended  with  a  special  and  a 
lasting  blessing  ;  from  Ezekiel  xxxvi,  26,  *  A 
new  heart  will  I  give  you  ;'  and  Matthew  xx, 
6,  '  Why  stand  ye  here  all  the  day  idle  V 
There  was  a  remarkable  plainness  and  sim- 
plicity manifested  in  these  sermons ;  yet  the 
high  calling  of  believers  was  explained  with 
great  clearness,  and  enforced  with  holy  energy. 
The  plainest  understanding  might  comprehend 


112  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

them ;  and  those  of  more  extensive  informa- 
tion were  instructed  ;  and  the  rich  and  the 
poor  were  again  awakened  to  their  privilege. 
For  althoiin;h  several  had  formerly  experienced 
the  perfect  love  of  God,  it  was  become  as  a  flame 
nearly  extinct.  With  most,  little  remained  of 
its  sweets,  but  a  fruitless  wish,  or  a  feeble  de- 
sire. Again  they  beheld  in  the  gospel  glass 
the  glory  of  the  Lord.  They  saw  its  nature 
and  its  advantages ;  it  was  also  placed  within 
the  reach  of  every  sincere  believer  ;  and  a  great 
number  sought  and  found  this  great  pearl,  and 
dared  to  profess  Jesus  Christ  a  Saviour  to  the 
uttermost. 

"  In  his  visits  from  house  to  house,  together 
with  his  dear  friend  3Ir.  W.,  he  was  remarkably 
blessed  of  the  Lord.  They  went  forth  '  warn- 
ing every  man,  and  teaching  every  man,  labour- 
ing and  striving  in  prayer,  according  to  the 
mighty  working  of  God,  which  worked  in 
them  mightily ;'  and  visible  good  was  done 
with  the  effusion  of  the  Spirit  being  pour- 
ed upon  every  family  which  they  visited.  I 
never  before  or  since  witnessed  so  extraordi- 
nary a  work.  God  so  filled  and  overwhelmed 
the  people  with  powerful  conviction,  or  with  a 
fulness  of  his  love,  that  the  feeble  body  fell  mo- 
tionless,  as  if  the  animal  functions  were  sus, 
pended  for  a  season.  I  was  witness  of  these 
effects,  and  can  testify  their  truth  and  verity. 

"  You  are  well  aware  how  his  soul  would 
exult  in  these  manifestations  of  the  Spirit.  In 
his  former  visits  to  Nottingham,  he  had  seen 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  113 

the  nakedness  of  the  land,  had  borne  the  bur- 
den of  the  Lord,  mourning  over  the  state  of  the 
people.  But  the  barren  wilderness  was  to  him 
as  a  Canaan,  overflowing  with  milk  and  honey 
— as  the  garden  of  the  Lord  abounding  with 
luxuriant  fruit." 

They  generally  breakfasted    and  supped  at 

Mr.  S.  B 's,  at  whose  house   they  lodged. 

Many  who  were  unwilling  to  carry  the  burden 
of  sin  or  the  remains  of  corruption  any  longer, 
came  to  join  with  them  in  family  prayer.     We 

will  instance  two,  viz.,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H , 

among  those  who  were  signally  blessed.  He 
came  one  morning  alone,  determined  to  seek 
with  all  his  heart  the  full  salvation  of  his  soul. 
He  asked  in  faith,  and  was  filled  with  God. — 
At  this  instant  his  wife,  who  had  followed  him 
with  the  same  intentions  and  intense  desires, 
came  into  the  room.  She  fell  upon  her  knees, 
and  asked  in  faith  the  cleansing  efficacy  of  the 
blood  of  Christ,  pleading  the  promises,  and 
ceased  not  till  she  received  an  answer.  Her 
happy  soul  was  not  less  signally  blessed  than 
her  husband's,  and  she  praised  God  with  joyful 
lips. 

Sometimes  Mr.  Longden's  body  fainted  under 
the  fatigue  of  praying,  as  in  an  agony,  from 
house  to  house,  from  morning  until  evening  ; 
and  Mr.  W.  was  obliged  to  labour  alone,  while 
he  rested  a  day  to  recruit  his  animal  strength. 

Salvation  was  sent  to  every  house  which 
they  visited  :  and  some  who  were  prepossessed 
against  this  work,  as  irregular  and  disorderly, 
8 


114  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  ■ 

were  obliged  to  submit  to  its  powerful  influence, . 
and  acknowledge  that  it  was  divine.  As  soon  i 
as  they  began  to  pray,  neighbours,  friends,  and  I 
relatives,  were  instantaneously  seized  with  { 
powerful  convictions,  and  were  as  suddenly 
saved  from  all  iniquity. 

I  transcribe  the  following  account  of  the 
conversion  of  Miss  B r,  from  Mr.  Long- 
den's  manuscripts  : — 

"  I  do  not  remember  to  have  ever  seen  a 
person  in  such  agonies  of  body  and  mind  as  she 
was.  VVe  observed  fear,  terror,  despair,  desire, 
expectation,  and  faith,  alternately  prevail :  for 
she  determined  to  find  the  mercy  of  God,  or  die 
upon  the  place,  and  perish  crying  out  for  God. 
Her  poor  mother  could  not  bear  the  sight,  and- 
was  obliged  to  withdraw.  Salvation  came  in  a 
moment ;  and  O  !  what  a  change  !  how  sudden  ! 
how  glorious  !  as  manifested  in  her  features, 
her  voice,  her  language  !  '  Beauty  for  ashes, 
the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  the  garment  of 
praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness,'  were  given 
her ;  and  the  house,  the  town,  the  kingdom, 
were  far  too  small  for  her  expanding  full  soul, 
in  which  to  praise  a  glorious  Trinity.  She 
shouted  aloud,  and  called  on  all  the  world  to 
join  her  in  the  high  praises  of  God."* 

*  Miss  B was  afterwards  married  to  Mr.  E — s, 

of  Derby,  a  gentleman  of  high  respectability,  and  she 
maintained  through  life  an  unblemished  and  exem- 
plary character.  She  died  in  May,  1810,  triumphing 
over  the  last  enemy.  Her  afflicted  husband  wrote  to 
Mr.  Longden,  desiring  him  to  preach  her  funeral  ser- 
mon.   "  She  always,"  he  observes,  *'  considered  you 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  115 

They  visited  several  societies  in  the  circuit, 
and  in  every  place  the  same  work  of  the  alarm- 
ing awakenings  and  speedy  conversions  was 
experienced.  At  Arnold  many  were  saved,  and 
praised  God  with  joyful  lips.  At  Basford,  tlie 
Spirit  of  God  was  as  fire  among  dry  stubble. 
After   preaching,    they    continued   in    prayer 

as  her  .spiritual  father,  and  I  feel  persuaded  that  your 
visit  would  be  made  a  great  blessing  to  the  people." 

The  folloM'ing  is  Mr.  Longden's  answer: — 

"  My  Dear  Brother  E , 

"Your  favour  of  yesterday  has  deeply  affected  my 
mind  with  a  sense  of  your  bereavement,  and  my  own 
loss,  as  well  as  the  loss  which  the  church  and  the  world 
have  sustained  b}^  the  death  of  your  dear  partner.  Sis- 
ter E was  to  you  a  faithful  and  an   affectionate 

wife,  a  lovely  and  a  sweet  companion  !  She  was  to  me 
a  dearly  beloved  child  !  I  have  not  once  thought  of  her 
since  the  day  of  her  conversion,  but  Avith  heartfelt 
emotions  of  pleasure,  and  spiritual  profit.  To  the 
church  she  was  a  bright  example  of  burning  love  and 
flaming  zeal :  and  to  the  world  she  was  a  Moses  in  the 
gap! 

"  But  she  is  gone,  to  return  no  more  to  this  sad  state 
of  mortality.  O  !  how  empty,  how  transient,  how  un- 
certain are  all  things  here  !  Let  us  not  forget  that  her 
heavenly  Father,  that  her  and  our  adorable  Redeemer, 
has  called  her  home  from  a  state  of  exile.  Let  us  lay 
our  hand  upon  our  mouth  with  this  assurance,  1  was 
not  worthy  of  such  a  wife  !  I  was  not  worthy  of  such 
a  child !  Our  loss  is  her  infinite  gain.  She  is  for 
ever  seated  on  the  Redeemer's  throi.e,  crowned  with 
unfading  glory  ! 

"  1  am  sorry  I  cannot  comply  with  your  request  on 
account  of  extreme  indisposition  :  and  had  I  been  well, 
1  fear  my  feelings  would  have  so  overpowered  me,  as 
to  have  rendered  me  absolutely  unfit  to  undertake  to 
improve  her  death  to  the  living. 
"  I  am,  &c.,  &.C. 

"  Henry  Longden." 


]  16  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

some  hours,  pleading  with  God  for  those  who 
were  crying,  "  God  be  merciful  to  us  sinners." 
It  cannot  yet  be  forgotten  that  all  who  kneeled 
at  one  form,  in  the  same  moment,  received  the 
witness  of  pardon,  and  at  once  gave  glory  to 
God. 

Mr.  Longden,  in  his  sermon  that  night, 
asserted,  "  instead  of  lewd  songs  being  heard 
in  the  factory,  soon  there  would  be  hymns  of 
praise  sung  in  every  room."  i\Iuch  as  the  pro- 
prietor and  managers  doubted  the  truth  of  this, 
they  found  this  was  the  beginning  of  good  days. 
The  work  of  God  spread  with  rapid  progress ; 
and  presently  they  joyfully  witnessed  the  banish- 
ment of  carnal  songs  from  the  factory,  and  no- 
thing was  heard  throughout  the  place  but  the 
songs  of  Zion.  "  He  that  sitteth  upon  the 
throne,  saith,  Behold  I  will  make  all  things 
new." 

It  would  fill  a  volume  to  relate  all  the  in- 
stances of  good  which  he  was  made  the  hum- 
ble instrument  of  to  individuals  and  societies, 
by  arbitrating  causes,  settling  differences,  and 
reconciling  former  friends  ;  as  M'ell  as  by  seek- 
ing poor  wandering  sinners,  and  bringing  them 
to  Jesus  Christ.  His  great  study,  his  constant 
aim,  and  his  daily  prayers,  were  directed  to  the 
same  end, — the  revival  and  prosperity  of  the 
work  of  God. 

We  will  conclude  this  chapter  by  subjoining 
his  own  account  of  his  journey  to  Whit  worth, 
in  Lancashire. 

Some  years  ago,  being  afflicted  with  a  very 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  117 

dano;eroiis  complaint,  I  was  advised  to  apply  to 
the  Whitworth  doctors,  by  whose  advice  and 
operations  I  received  great  relief.  In  this 
place  I  found  myself  surrounded  with  the  halt 
and  the  maimed.  I  could  not  eat  any  thing 
with  the  least  appetite,  for  the  smell  of 
wounds  and  the  sight  of  suffering  objects,  in 
almost  every  form  of  misery.  Removed  from 
the  means  of  grace,  and  the  society  of  my 
friends  and  family,  and  being  very  feeble,  of- 
ten languishing  with  pain,  I  thought  it  was 
high  time  to  resolve  upon  something  to  recruit 
my  sinking  spirits,  either  to  return  home,  or 
to  begin  to  labour  publicly  with  my  remnant  of 
strength,  by  preaching  to  these  poor  sufferers. 
I  resolved  upon  the  latter,  and  obtained  the  use 
of  a  large  room,  and  many  heard  the  word,  I 
trust  with  lasting  benefit.  In  the  exercise  of 
watering  these,  my  own  soul  was  often  watered. 
Now  the  cheering  presence  of  God  made  all 
things  easy ;  my  appetite  returned,  and  I 
gained  strength  daily. 

One  day  as  I  was  seated  in  a  front  room 
of  the  house  where  I  lodged,  reading  my  Bible, 
an  emaciated  man  passed  slowly  by,  supported 
by  crutches.  I  rfiised  my  head,  and  caught  a 
glance  of  a  most  wistful  look  from  the  man.  I 
began  to  read  again,  but  I  found  my  attention 
was  disturbed  with  thoughts  of  the  man.  I 
felt  an  involuntary  aflection  for  the  poor  suf- 
ferer !  I  could  read  no  more.  I  thought,  1 
will  go  and  find  him,  and  converse  with  him, 
and  sec  what  this  meaneth.     I  found  he  had 


118  LIFE    OF  LONGDEN. 

just  arrived  at  his  lodgings,  and  was  seated  in 
his  chair. 

I  addressed  him  as  follows : — "  My  dear 
friend,  you  appear  to  be  very  ill,  and  likely  soon 
to  leave  the  world."  He  said,  "  Yes,  sir,  I  ex- 
pect to  be  discharged  by  the  doctor  to-day, 
and  sent  home  to  die."  I  asked  him,  "  Are  you 
prepared  to  die  ?"  "  No,"  he  resumed,  "  I 
have  neglected  my  soul  all  my  life.  My  home 
is  a  little  farm  near  York.  By  great  industry 
and  frugaUty  I  have  supported  my  family  with 
credit ;  but  this  has  been  my  chief  care  !  I 
have  not  been  devoted  to  God,  and  alas  !  I  fear 
now  there  is  but  little  hope  of  my  ever  getting 
to  heaven."  After  I  had  spoken  to  him  at 
some  length,  with  much  enlargement,  by  way 
of  instruction  and  exhortation,  I  prayed  with 
him  and  left  him. 

About  six  the  next  morning  a  messenger 
came  in  haste,  desiring  me  to  visit  the  poor 
afdicted  man.  I  found  him  in  an  agony  of  dis- 
tress. Inquiring  into  the  cause  of  his  sorrow, 
he  said,  "  I  am  heart-broken,  if  ever  man  was  : 
I  used  to  think  it  almost  impossible  to  bear  the 
pain  of  my  leg ;  but  I  have  forgotten  my  leg  in 
the  greater  anguish  of  my  mind.  O,  sir,  I  have 
not  had  a  moment's  ease  since  you  were  here. 
I  am  lost !  I  am  lost  !  I  am  so  great  a  sinner, 
I  despair  of  mercy."  I  offered  him  all  the  en- 
couragement and  help  which  the  gospel  offers, 
and  assured  him  God  would  make  him  as  happy 
as  he  could  live  ;  and  I  hoped  it  would  be  that 
morning.     I,  and  a  friend  who  was   with  me, 


LIFE    OK    LONGnEN.  119 

prayed  alternately.  The  man  joined  us  witli 
all  possible  tervour,  crying  aloud  for  mercy. 
Shortly  his  despair  was  gone.  He  said,  "  Lord, 
thou  wilt  pardon  me."  His  faith  increasing, 
he  said,  "  liord,  I  feel  thou  wilt  pardon  me  now;^^ 
and  very  soon  after,  faith  was  victorious,  and 
mercy  triumphant ;  he  broke  out  in  loud  praises 
and  thanksgiving  to  God. 

W  hen  he  rose  from  his  knees,  he  said,  "  Nov/ 
I  am  happy,  and  I  am  willing  to  die  when  it 
shall  please  God  to  call  me ;  only  I  shall  be 
thankful  if  the  liOrd  please  to  permit  me  to  see 
my  wife  and  children,  that  I  may  tell  them 
what  he  has  done  for  my  soul,  and  that  I  may 
give  them  a  dying  charge  to  seek  the  Lord 
without  delay,  and  devote  themselves  to  God ; 
but  if  he  appoint  otherwise,  I  here  resign  my- 
self to  his  will." 

I  said  to  him,  "  My  good  friend,  I  will  tell 
you  a  secret.  It  was  God  who  sent  me  to 
seek  you  ;  for  after  I  saw  your  poor  meager 
face,  as  you  passed  my  windov/,  I  felt  such  a 
love  to  you,  and  a  desire  to  converse  with  you, 
that  the  Lord  constrained  me  to  go  in  search 
of  you,  and  to  God  alone  you  must  give  the 
glory  of  your  salvation." 

He  replied,  "  xind,  sir,  I  will  tell  you  a  se- 
cret :  from  the  first  moment  that  I  saw  you  in 
this  town,  I  loved  you  even  better  than  I  loved 
my  own  wife.  I  have  followed  you  in  the 
street,  to  have  the  pleasure  of  treading  in  the 
same  place  that  you  did  ;  and  I  have  gone  past 
the  window  of  the  room  where  you  sit  a  hun 


120  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

dred  times,  that  I  might  look  at  you.  Yea, 
and  the  more  the  people  said  against  your 
preaching  and  praying,  the  more  I  loved  you. 
But  O !"  he  said,  "  how  I  shall  love  you  in 
heaven,  only  less  than  Jesus  Christ."  The  fol- 
lowing day  we  had  a  nwst  tender  and  affec. 
tionate  parting — till  we  meet  to  part  no  more  \ 


CHAPTER  IV. 

His  Experience,  as  exiracted  from  his  Diarj'. 

January  1,  1798.  We  have  had  a  blessed 
visitation  at  our  covenant  meeting  this  even- 
ing. Many  were  not  able  to  stand  under  the 
overwhelming  power  of  the  Spirit,  but  fell  down. 
Some  were  pardoned,  others  were  healed,  and 
cried,  "  Glory,  glory  be  to  God  in  the  highest." 
I  do  most  deliberately  and  heartily  covenant 
to  be  devoted  to  Christ  in  life  and  in  death. 

2.  This  morning  at  my  band,  brother  T m 

was  filled  with  the  love  of  God.  Our  four 
friends  from  Nottingham  are  returning  home, 
determined  to  cleave  to  God  and  each  other, 
praying  and  labouring  for  a  revival  of  the  work 
of  God  in  the  conversion  of  sinners. 

Sunday,  7.  I  was  much  humbled  while  hear- 
ing brother  P.  from  Rom.  xii,  1.  I  trust  I  see 
fully  the  will  of  God  concerning  me. 

8.  I  have  tbund  much  profit  to-day  in  visiting 
the  sick.  W.  L.  is  resigned  and  happy.  J.  E. 
is  in  an  uncertain  state.  W.  B.  is  yet  una- 
wakened.  J.  S.  is  kept  in  perfect  peace.  H.  T» 


LIFE   OP   LONGDEN.  121 

is  poor  and  happy ;  and  B.  W.  is  in  the  clefts 
of  the  rock.  O !  the  vanity  of  the  creature, 
and  the  importance  and  excellence  of  religion 
in  life  and  in  death  ! 

9.  My  mind  has  been  oppressed  to-day  with 
the  languor  of  my  body ;  but  I  drank  of  the 
refreshing  streams  in  my  class.  I  was  led  to 
speak  of  the  manner  of  my  enduring  in  pa- 
tience, or  conquering  by  faith,  which  proved 
a  general  blessing. 

14.  I  was  aroused  and  quickened  while  hear- 
ing Mr.  W.  from  Luke  xiii,  9.  He  spoke  of 
our  advantages  as  Englishmen,  as  Methodists, 
and  as  Sheffield  Methodists,  on  whom  God  had 
poured  out  his  Spirit  abundantly  ;  and  the 
consequent  and  proportionate  fruit  which  was 
expected  and  required,  fruit  to  perfection,  which 
should  remain.  I  met  J.  Robert's  class  after 
dinner.  I  was  much  blessed  among  them ; 
they  are  truly  alive  :  several  found  pardon.  I 
had  a  good  time  at  family  prayer  in  the  even- 
ing, and  retired  in  peace  with  a  grateful  heart. 

15.  I  found  B.  W.  in  a  heavenly  frame,  in 
constant  union  with  God  ;  may  my  soul,  like 
his,  evermore  be  conformed  to  the  image  of 
God  in  all  things. 

16.  We  had  a  time  of  much  love  and  union 
at  my  band  ;  it  appears,  unless  I  labour  hard, 
I  shall  be  left  far  behind.  At  J.  Berwick's 
class,  he  was  delivered  from  all  his  doubts,  and 
the  people  were  made  alive.  May  they  add  to 
their  faith  diligence. 

17.  J.  Finningley's  class,  I  trust,  is  aUve  to 


123  LIFE   OF  LONGDEN. 

God.  The  leader  was  quickened,  and  several 
of  ihe  members  were  fully  sanctified  to  God,  and 
my  own  soul  was  blessed  in  the  midst  of  them. 

18.  I  met  with  the  preachers  and  some 
others,  to  consider  the  best  manner  of  conduct- 
ing the  work  of  God,  that  the  revival  might 
continue  and  increase.  We  concluded  in  peace 
and  unanimity.  In  the  evening  Mr.  B.  preach- 
ed from  Psa.  cxxxiii,  1,  much  to  the  purpose, 
and  very  satisfactorily. 

19.  Attended  the  committee  of  the  intended 
Sunday  school.  There  was  perfect  harmony, 
and  much  prayer  for  the  blessing  of  God.  I 
thank  my  God  for  assurance  and  peace  within, 

22.  I  was  much  profited  while  hearing  Mr. 
B.  upon  evil  speaking,  and  was  strengthened 
in  every  former  resolution,  to  use  all  the  cir- 
cumspection and  self-denial  which  the  gospel 
requires.  I  was  comforted  to-night,  by  seeing 
an  old  woman  made  happy  by  the  forgiveness 
of  her  sins. 

23.  The  divine  presence  was  manifestly 
among  us  at  Mr.  B.'s  this  morning.  W.  S. 
professed  to  be  cleansed  from  all  sin.  I  had  a 
painful  time  at  W.  H.'s  class  in  the  evening. 
1  found  him  prejudiced  against  what  he  for- 
merly professed, — holiness  of  heart.  No  wonder 
that  his  people  had  imbibed  the  same  prejudices. 

27.  We  had  an  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  at 
the  select  bands  to-night.  An  itinerant 
preacher  and  three  others  came  from  Ashby- 
de-la-Zouch.  There  was  a  happy  strife  who 
had  most  cause  to  praise  the  Lord. 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  123 

Sunday,  28.  Mr.  M.  preached  this  morning 
from  love  ;  he  had  much  good  matter.  If  this 
excellent  man  would  labour  for  a  better  arrange- 
ment, and  would  adopt  a  less  violent  action,  he 
would  be  one  of  the  greatest  lights  I  have 
known.  In  the  forenoon  I  heard  3Ir.  G.  S. 
How  wonderfully  this  man  outruns  in  zeal  and 
usefulness  many  of  his  superiors  in  knowledge. 
The  excellency  of  the  power  is  of  God.  On  the 
whole,  I  have  had  a  good  day. 

29.  The  Lord  condescends  to  make  increas- 
ing  discoveries  to  me  of  his  nature  and  his 
will.     May  I  praise  him  with  every  breath  ! 

30.  This  has  been  a  day  of  peace,  and  in 
my  class  a  season  of  triumph.  Many  souls 
were  blessed,  and  two  strangers  experienced 
the  mercy  of  God. 

31.  Set  off  to  visit  the  churches.  The 
friends  saw  me  ride  into  Chapel-in-le-Frith, 
and  instantly  ran  through  the  town  to  publish 
for  preaching  at  seven.  We  had  a  precious 
time  ;  I  trust  lasting  good  was  done.  To  thee, 
O  Father,  be  all  the  glory. 

February  1.  Dined  with  Mr.  R.  at  Maccles- 
field. He  is  a  man  of  God.  Mr.  L.  is  offend- 
ed with  noisy  meetings.  I  returned  to  Chapel- 
in-le-Frith  in  the  evening,  and  heard  a  promis- 
ing young  man,  who  will  make  a  useful  preacher, 
with  much  prayer  and  study.  We  continued 
in  prayer  after  preaching,  and  the  power  of 
God  was  present  to  heal. 

2.  Returning,  I  called  at  Hathersage,  and 
spent  an  hour  in  prayer  with  several  of  my 


124  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

dear  friends,  I  trust  not  in  vain.  I  got  safe 
home  to  dinner.  I  thank  my  God  for  his  pro- 
tection, and  every  supply  in  Christ  Jesus. 
May  my  future  days  be  fully  devoted  to  God  ! 

Sunday,  4.  Met  Owlerton  class:  it  was  a 
time  of  breaking  down,  and  of  building  up. 
One  man  was  pardoned,  and  several  were  sane 
tified.  The  Spirit  of  love  was  so  poured  upon 
us,  that  we  scarcely  could  part.  This  Sabbath 
has  been  at  once  a  foretaste  and  a  preparative 
for  the  Sabbath  above. 

6.  I  have  this  day  completed  my  forty-fourth 
year.  Pause,  O  my  soul !  look  backward  and 
forward.  Many  important  stages,  and  many 
of  the  busy,  active  scenes  of  life,  are  gone  for 
ever.  What  hast  thou  been  doing  for  these 
more  than  twenty  years  of  thy  Christian  pro- 
fession ?  What  a  want  of  zeal  in  the  cause  of 
religion  !  How  little  thou  hast  attained  of  the 
heights  of  heavenly  love,  the  depths  of  profound 
humility,  the  breadth  of  spirituality,  and  the 
length  of  burning  charity  !  Thou  art  swiftly 
passing  into  eternity  !  Surely,  then,  what  thy 
hand  tindeth  to  do,  should  be  done  with  thy 
might.  Every  power  should  be  exerted,  and 
every  faculty  devoted  to  God.  Give  me  faith 
which  cannot  be  denied,  give  me  power  which 
every  heart  shall  feel.  In  every  public  exer- 
cise, give  me  souls :  in  every  company,  let 
every  word  be  with  grace,  "  seasoned  unth 
salt.^'  Surely  the  year  upon  which  I  am  now 
entering  will  be  abundantly  crowned  with  the 
blessing  of  God.     The  Lord  be  merciful  to  me, 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  125 

and  help  me  to  "  give  all  diligence,"  to  use  all 

activity,  "  redeeming  the  time." 
1       9.  I  shall  be  much  exposed  to-day  ;  the  Lord 
]  direct  and  preserve  me.     I   have   experienced 
(  his  love  and  guardian  care  ;  and  blessed  be  my 

God  and  King. 
1  Sunday  il.  This  morning  we  have  begun  a 
[Sunday  school.  Many  brethren  and  sisters 
I  offered  their  services  as  teachers,  and  m.any 
(children  were  admitted.  The  presence  of  the 
|;Lord  was  eminently  among  us.  Surely  this 
I  is  a  good  beginning  of  a  great  and  good  work. 
i  In  the  evening  1  heard  brother  N.  at  Crooke's, 
1  with  much  pleasure;  may  he  be  clothed  with 
I  humility.  Afterwards  I  gave  an  exhortation, 
'  with  some  enlargement. 

13.  We  had  much  of  the  power  of  God  at 

Mr.  Beet's  class  ;  many  were  filled  with  love, 
'  and  my  unworthy  soul  was  very  happy. 

15.  The   Lord    has  quickened  my  soul  to- 
I  day  :  may  I  press  towards  the  mark,  and  never, 
1  never  faint. 
I      20.    Spent    this     afternoon    with     Samuel 

Hewitt  :  he  is  very  ill,  and  very  happy. 
'i      21.  We  had  a  precious  season  at  brother  C. 
li  Hodgson's  class  :    O  how  happy  !     Glory  be 
(I  to  God  for  ever  ! 

j'  22.  I  had  much  liberty  in  family  prayer 
I  this  morning.  Mr.  W.  was  endued  with  the 
(^  spirit  of  his  work  in  preaching  to-night,  from 
I' "  Be  careful  for  nothing,"  &c. 

'  24.  My  union  with  God  is  increasing : 
),  blessed  be  his  holy  name.     I  have  spent  most 


126  LIFE   OP  LONGDEN. 

of  the  day  visiting  the  sick.  I  shall  not  soon 
forget  my  interview  with  Joseph  Sheldon. 
He  has  been  a  sincere,  uniform  servant  of  God, 
among  the  Methodists,  about  fifty  years,  and 
he  bus  enjoyed  the  perfect  love  of  God  for 
thirty  years.  I  do  not  wonder  that  God  is 
now  so  eminently  with  his  servant,  opening  his 
prospects  to  the  regions  of  day,  and  giving 
him  ravishing  foretastes  of  his  inheritance 
above. 

Sunday  25.  Two  boys  were  converted  at 
school  to-day.  These  are  first  fruits  unto  God, 
certain  pledges  of  a  glorious  harvest  of  souls. 
"  On  all  the  earth  thy  Spirit  shower;"  from 
the  least  unto  the  greatest.  This  has  been  a 
day  of  inward  triumph  in  God. 

26.  There  was  great  harmony  in  the 
preachers'  meeting :  they  are  alive  to  God, 
and  we  have  a  prospect  of  great  good  through- 
out the  circuit. 

23.  The  Lord  is  giving  me  clearer  views 
of  his  fulness,  and  of  my  emptiness  :  may  I 
press  unto  salvation. 

March  6.  I  have  had  a  good  day,  and  a 
blessed  class-meeting  at  night.  One  young 
woman  found  mercy. 

7.  A  national  fast.  This  has  been  a  day  of 
real  humiliation  in  public  and  in  private.  I  had 
great  comfort  in  leading  brother  Froggart's 
class. 

9.  I  have  experienced  uncommon  nearness 
to  God  all  this  day,  and  great  enlargement 
in  prayer. 


LIFE  OF   LONGDEN.  127 

10.  Rode  to  Eyam,  and  settled  the  chapel 
deeds  in  great  peace. 

11.  Preached  at  Eyam  and  Bradwell :   here 

are  prospects  of  much  good.     The  two  K s 

had  their  backsHdings  healed. 

12.  Mr.  W.  spoke  plainly  and  affectionately 
fr»  im,  "  Lovest  thou  me  ?"  In  the  evening  I 
heard  an  occasional  sermon  in  the  dissenting 
chapel  which  my  parents  used  to  take  me  to  : 
how  my  heart  glows  with  gratitude  for  my 
superior  privileges  among  the  Methodists  ! 

20.  In  the  band  we  sought  an  increase  of 
humility  as  the  heart  of  one  man  :  to  have 
meaner  and  more  abasing  views  of  ourselves, 
seeking  in  all  things  to  exalt  the  Saviour. 

22.  Dined  at  Whitley-wood  :  a  fine  atmo- 
sphere without,  and  heavenly  tranquillity  with- 
in. Mr.  B.  in  the  evening  spoke  plainly  upon 
cleanliness,  as  composing  part  of  godliness. 

25.  My  body  has  been  low,  but  my  mind 
has  been  graciously  visited. 

26.  Glory  be  to  God,  I  am  better  this 
morning  ;  may  this  be  a  day  of  close  union 
with  God.  Mr.  Wood  preached  S.  Hewitt's 
funeral  sermon,  from  Psa.  cxvi,  15.  It  will  not 
soon  be  forgotten. 

28.  I  rode  over  to  Rotherham,  to  see  Mrs. 
Green.  In  the  midst  of  sore  afflictions,  long 
confinement,  and  loss  of  her  worldly  goods,  she 
is  all  resignation,  all  patience,  all  meekness, 
overflowing  with  heavenly  love.  I  was  inde- 
scribably happy  while  I  heard  her  gracious 
words.  What  a  holy  ambition  has  this  venera- 


128  LIFE    OP   LONGDEN. 

ble  saint  to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  her 
dear  Lord  in  all  things.'^ 

April  8.  Many  souls  were  saved  to-day  at 
Rotherham  love-feast.  Our  God  is  pouring 
his  Spirit  upon  all  around  us.  Our  preachers 
are  filled  with  life,  and  inflamed  with  zeal,  and 
we  have  prosperity  through  the  circuit.  O 
Lord,  send  a  general  shower  of  grace  over  all 
the  thirsty  land  :  yea,  let  the  earth  be  covered 
with  righteousness,  and  all  flesh  see  thy  sal- 
vation. 

9.  My  soul  is  drinking  into  the  fulness  of 
God.  O,  what  days  of  grace  are  these  !  The 
word  and  ordinances  of  God  are  exceedingly 
precious. 

10.  Several  strangers  and  brethren  were  at 
my  band  this  morning.  We  were  baptized  with 
the  tire  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Our  Nottingham 
friends  are  returning,  filled  with  love,  and 
peace,  and  joy. 

17.  The  Lord  screens  me  in  the  day  of  bat- 
tle ;  and  he  supports  me  in  my  frequent  attacks 
of  pain  and  weakness — in  pain  all  is  well. 

23.  I  had  a  pleasant  journey  to  Edgehill, 
and  found  my  daughters  well  at  school.  A 
watch-night  was  held  in  the  neighbourhood  : 
in  the  evening  I  unexpectedly  found  my  dear 
friends,  Tatham  and  Brewster,  there.  We  re- 
joiced to  meet,  especially  as  we  witnessed  the 

*  It  is  a  lamentable  circumstance  that  no  memoirs 
•were  written  of  this  great  and  good  woman,  that  her 
virtues  were  not  recorded  for  the  example  of  ages  to 
come. 


LIFE    OF   LOXGDEN.  129 

salvation  of  several.  We  met  at  Miss  Ward's 
to  breakfast,  next  morning,  and,  I  trust,  v/e 
spent  a  few  hours  to  mutual  edification.  From 
thence  I  rode  to  Buckland-hollovv  to  dine ;  and 
had  a  season  never  to  be  forgotten.  In  the 
evening  I  was  restored  to  the  bosom  of  my  fa- 
mily in  peace.  Glory  be  to  my  God  and  King  ! 
I  May  18.  I  have  been  a  tour  of  near  three 
» weeks  to  Hull,  York,  Leeds,  &c,,  with  Mr.  J. 
'V/.,  for  the  benefit  of  my  health:  I  hope  we 
have  left  a  savour  of  grace  in  every  place.  I 
am  returned  better  in  health.  Blessed  be  God 
'  for  every  mercy  ! 

1      20.   Preached  to-day  at  Thorpe,  with  liberty 
and  enlargement,  but  was  much  exhausted.     I 
{ must  give  up  public  labour,  or  die. 

June  12.  Mr.  B.  and  I  have  been  fourteen 
(days  at  Nottingham.  The  hand  of  the  Lord 
!  was  with  us  :  many  believed  and  were  saved — 
some  from  the  guilt,  and  others  from  the  domi- 
I  nion  of  sin.  May  they  bring  forth  much  fruit 
.unto  thy  glory ! 

,  19.  G.  Kirby  has  made  a  good  finish,  by  a 
I  triumphant  death.  There  are  few  days  that  pass 
I  without  my  witnessing  the  triumphs  of  Christ 
.'over  Satan,  by  the  pardon  of  sinners,  or  the 
I  full  salvation  of  believers.  "  O  Jesus  !  ride  on 
'till  all  are  subdued!" 

I,  23.  I  possess  a  heaven-born  peace  without 
interruption.  I  have  good  reason  to  conclude 
I  the  Lord  is  extending  his  work  within.  I  am 
j  going  to  the  select  bands  :  O  God  !  meet  and 
I  bless  me  there  ! 
)  9 


130  LIFE  OP  LONGDEN. 

Sunday,  July  1.  I  am  the  Lord's  prisoner 
to-day,  being  confined  by  an  acute  pain  in  my 
kidneys.  I  adore  the  Lord,  who  gives  me  per- 
fect resignation  to  his  will. 

3.  This  quarterly  meeting  of  the  preachers 
far  exceeded  every  other  that  any  preacher 
present  ever  witnessed,  in  a  fulness  of  love  and 
glorious  power.  IMr.  W.  wished  to  speak  bis 
experience,  but  he  could  not,  he  was  so  much 
affected.  Mr.  B.  was  so  dissolved  and  over- 
powered, that  he  could  not  pray  :  and  Mr.  P. 
shouted.  Glory  !  glory  !  glory  to  God  in  the 
highest ! 

All  the  local  preachers  (two  excepted)  had 
a  clear  evidence  of  sanctification,  and  those 
two  received  the  blessing  before  we  parted. 
What  may  we  not  expect  the  coming  quarter? 

5.  M.  Pier  de  Pontavice  is  residing  with  us 
a  few  weeks  :  he  is  a  French  emigrant,  who 
has  travelled  some  time  with  Dr.  Coke :  he 
was  perfected  in  love  to-night  at  the  select 
bands.* 

26.  I  have  been  with  Mr.  B.  a  week  into 
the  Derbyshire  part  of  the  circuit.  This  ser- 
vant of  God  is  owned  and  succeeded  by  God 
wherever  he  goes.  I  have  been  drinking  larger 
draughts  of  the  love  of  God.  I  want  to  be 
filled,  actuated,  and  inflamed  with  this  con- 
tinually. 

I    have   been    much  engaged  with  God  in 

*  There  is  an  interesting  account  of  his  death  in  the 
34th  volume  of  the  Methodist  Magazine.  He  was  a 
man  of  amiable  manners  and  fervent  piety. 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  131 

prayer  these  few  days  for  my  wife's  father, 
who  is  evidently  sick  unto  death.  From  the 
first  day  of  our  joining  the  Methodists,  he  has 
not  had  any  union  with  us.  To-day,  blessed 
be  God  !  his  Pharisaic  opinions  are  gone,  and 
he  acknowledges  himself  a  guilty  sinner,  and 
looks  for  pardon  by  the  merits  of  Christ. 

27.  To-day  my  father  Wood  made  the  fol- 
lowing  confession  : — "  From  the  time  of  your 
conversion  to  the  present,  I  have  watched  your 
conduct  attentively,  and  have  long  been  con- 
vinced that  you  were  right,  and  that  I  was 
wrong. ''^  He  spends  most  of  his  time  praying 
for  mercy  upon  an  old  sinner. 

28.  This  morning  I  asked  him  if  the  Lord 
was  precious  to  his  soul  :  he  replied,  "  Yes,  he 
is,  blessed  be  God !"  He  does  not  pray  for 
pardon,  as  he  did  yesterday,  but  his  mouth  is 
filled  with  praises  to  the  God  of  his  salvation. 
About  twelve  o'clock  he  died,  and  we  trust  he 
entered  into  rest.  May  this  miracle  of  grace 
be  made  a  blessing  to  the  whole  family  ! 

August  3.  1  am  not  certain  whether  I  visit 
the  fatherless  and  widows  in  distress  as  much 
as  I  ought  to  do.  Here  is  my  difficulty  :  as 
soon  as  I  increase  my  labour  I  increase  my 
disorder.  Glad  should  I  be  to  know  and  do  the 
will  of  God  in  all  things. 

6.  I  had  a  glorious  season  yesterday  at  our 
annual  love-feast  in  the  Woodlands.  Many 
souls  were  overwhelmed  with  God. 

8.  Thou  knowest,  0  God !  my  desire.  I 
want  to  feel  bowels  of  compassion  for  perish. 


133  LIFE    or  LONGDEN. 

ing  men  ;  then  shall  I  labour  in  every  place, 
by  every  means,  to  snatch  them  as  brands  out 
of  the  fire,  and  compel  them  to  come  in,  that 
thy  house  may  be  filled. 

September  8.  On  Tuesday,  the  fourth,  my 
son  William  appeared  to  be  seized  with  a  cold ; 
on  Wednesday,  being  worse,  we  sent  for  a 
doctor  :  he  suspected  danger,  and  ordered  him 
to  be  bled  with  leeches.  On  Thursday  he  told 
us  his  disorder  was  water  in  the  brain,  and 
that  he  had  no  hope  of  his  recovery.  On  Fri- 
day I  set  otf  early  to  fetch  home  E.  and  H. 
from  school,  and  arrived  at  home  about  tive  in 
the  afternoon.  I  found  that,  after  six  hours' 
hard  struggling  in  convulsions,  about  one  at 
noon,  my  dear  little  lamb  was  admitted  into 
the  celestial  city.  I  thank  thee,  O  God !  for 
enabling  thy  poor  worm  to  say,  "  The  Lord 
gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away,  and 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  !" 

29.  When  I  am  stronger  in  body,  I  have  a 
return  of  activity  and  a  flow  of  energy.  I  am 
mercifully  preserved  from  sinking  into  discou- 
ragement  when  I  am  weak  and  poorly.  The 
one  state  is  more  pleasant  than  the  other ;  but 
the  least  pleasant  is  not  the  least  profitable. 

October  20.  I  see  it  is  possible  for  me  to  be 
more  fully  devoted  to  God,  growing  continually 
in  personal  holiness.  O  God  !  leave  not  thy 
unworthy  servant,  but  save  me  to  the  utter- 
most. 

21.  I  have  been  considering  my  privileges: 
I  am  fearful  my  improvement  bears  no  proper- 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  133 

tion  to  them.  Search  my  soul,  O  God  :  surely 
it  is  not  leaky,  losing  the  good  received ;  for, 
after  all  I  have  received,  I  am  constrained  to 
say, 

"  A  point  my  good,  a  drop  my  store, 
Eager  I  aslr,  and  pant  for  more." 

Sunday  28.  A  day  of  blessings.  Mr.  M. 
preached  in  the  morning  from,  "  The  first  re- 
surrection ;"  in  the  evening  from,  "  Behold  now 
is  the  accepted  time,"  &;c.  ;  he  had  great  liberty. 
Many  found  peace. 

November  7.  I  have  apparently  been  gain- 
ing strength  of  body.  I  was  encouraged  there- 
by, on  Sunday,  to  preach  once  more.  But  I 
vvas  so  exhausted  afterwards  as  to  be  obliged  to 
lie  down,  nor  could  I  hold  up  the  following 
da)'.     "  Father,  thy  only  will  be  done." 

December  2.  I  have  been  much  blessed  in 
the  company  of  Mr.  B.  the  last  week,  who  has 
been  over  to  beg  for  Nottingham  chapel.  It 
was  pleasant  to  witness  how  cheerfully  and 
liberally  the  friends  contributed ;  many  of  them 
were  in  danger  of  giving  beyond  their  ability. 
O  God,  keep  thy  dust  in  an  humble,  thankful, 
waiting  frame,  trampling  down  every  enemy, 
and  eagerly  desiring  all  thy  salvation. 

8.  I  groan  in  this  body,  being  burdened. 
When  shall  I  quit  this  tenement  of  clay  ?  By 
faith  and  'patience  we  must  inherit  heaven,  the 
consummation  of  all  the  promises. 

9.  The  refreshing  streams  flowed  into  my 
soul  to-night  under  Mr.  W.,  from,  "  What  lack 


134  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

I  yet  ?"  O  God,  be  thou  my  centre,  my  all  and 
in  all. 

13.  I  have  been   blessed  several  times   to 
day   while   conversing  and   praying  with  my 
family.     Surely  we  shall  all  meet  in  heaven  ! 

18.  We  had  a  memorable  band-meeting  this 
morning,  and  an  affecting  parting  with  Mr.  B. 
We  were  all  dissolved  in  love  !  May  Thotd  fast 
wheremito  I  have  attained.     Amen. 

January  17,  1799.  I  have  been  sixteen 
days  at  Nottingham.  Mrs.  T.  is  a  miracle  of 
grace.  Mrs.  B.  and  Miss  R.  are  active  and 
useful,  and  most  of  my  dear  friends  are  press- 
ing forward.  I  was  much  affected  with  Mr. 
B.'s  great  kindness  to  me.  I  hope  to  profit 
much  by  his  advice  and  example.  The  Lord 
reward  him  a  thousandfold  into  his  own  bosom. 

31.  This  has  been  a  month  of  happiness  and 
prosperity  :  may  every  succeeding  month  be 
even  as  this,  and  more  abundant.  I  only  want 
to  live  for  this,  to  get  more  of  the  image  of  God. 

February  20.  Tribulation  is  inseparable  from 
the  present  life.  I  have  been  exposed  to  danger 
by  several  worldly  things,  but  I  found  God  to  be 
all-sufficient.  His  word  is  truth,  and  his  peace 
fills  and  rules  my  heart. 

March  25.  Our  love-feast  to-day  was  rather 
flat  ;  there  was  not  much  good  speaking  ;  nei- 
ther was  there  any  of  the  power  of  God.  O  my 
God,  take  thy  own  work  into  thy  hands,  and 
soon  let  the  wliole  world  bow  to  thy  sway ! 

April  23.  I  have  had  a  week  of  sore  con- 
flict.    When  I  am  low  and  inactive  the  enemy 


LIFE    OF  LONGDEN.  135 

comes  in  as  a  flood.  But  I  can  appeal  to  God, 
and  say,  "  Thou  knowest  the  way  that  I  take." 
I  quietly  leave  the  result  of  all  to  God. 

30.  Our  High  Priest  is  touched  with  a  feel- 
ing of  our  infirmities  :  he  knows  how  to  suc- 
cour, and  when  to  deliver,  his  tempted  followers. 
Again  I  feel  his  cheering  presence  comforting 
my  soul.     All  glory  to  God  ! 

May  28.  I  have  been  fourteen  days  with 
Mr.  W.  at  Hull.  I  have  felt  a  measure  of  the 
blessedness  of  those  who  hunger  and  thirst  for 
God. 

June  17.  My  union  with  God  is  without  in- 
terruption ;  but  I  cannot  rest  in  this.  Who 
can  fathom  that  expression  of  our  apostle, 
«  And  be  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God  ?" 

July  15.  I  want  an  increasing  conviction 
of  my  littleness  and  dependence,  my  unworthi- 
ness  and  vileness,  before  God.  Nothing  less 
than  such  a  conviction  will  make  me  "  press 
toward  the  mark  for  the  j^rize  of  my  high  call- 
ing of  God  in  Christ  Jesus." 

August  26.  My  afflictions  inform  me,  I  Uve 
upon  the  borders  of  eternity.  This  prevents 
me  encumbering  myself  unnecessarily  with 
worldly  things,  and  suggests  the  necessity  of 
having  my  wings  ready  trimmed  for  a  flight  to 
Abraham's  bosom.  As  my  body  sinks  my  soul 
rises. 

October  3.  My  soul,  through  mercy,  is  get- 
ting forward  better  than  ever  ;  and  my  family, 
who  lie  near  my  heart,  are  more  devoted  to 
God  than  heretofore.  H.'s  letters  from  Lincoln- 


136  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

shire  have  been  made  a  blessing  to  us.  O  may 
our  dear,  dear  children  be  entirely  given  up  to 
God,  that  we  may  spend  together  a  whole  eter- 
nity of  praise ! 

July  20,  1801.  We  had  a  glorious  day  at 
Eckington  love-feast  yesterday.  It  was  a  sea- 
son of  great  good.  Many  spoke  with  simplicity 
and  divine  power.  Several  were  delivered  from 
the  burden  of  guilt. 

August  19.  Returned  from  an  excursion  to 
Spen,  Bradford,  Leeds,  York,  Hull,  and  Gains- 
borough. I  have  seen  signs  and  wonders 
wrought,  the  arm  of  the  Lord  made  bare.  And 
I  experienced  the  truth  of  that  declaration, 
"  He  that  watereth  shall  be  watered  himself." 
My  health  is  also  improved,  and  I  intend  to 
devote  it  all  to  thee,  my  God. 

March  27,  1802.  My  soul  is  kept  in  per- 
fect peace  and  purity.  Our  drooping  expecta- 
tions in  the  church,  I  think,  were  revived  on 
Thursday  night,  while  I  spoke  from  Rom.  v,  3-5. 
Last  night  we  had  a*Iively  prayer-meeting,  and 
■we  expect  a  shower  of  grace  in  the  love-feast 
to-morrow.  Our  dear  brother  Miller  is  expect, 
ed  here  to  preach,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Bene- 
volent Society.  May  the  Lord  work  mightily 
by  his  servant ! 

April  1.  I  feel  a  power  always  to  give  all  to 
God,  and  to  maintain  a  sweet  living  union  with 
God.  But  O  !  1  want  more  life  and  energy  ; 
and,  in  order  to  that,  more  earnestness  and 
diligence. 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  137 


CHAPTER  Y. 

The  subsequent  part  of  his  life,  containing  an  ac- 
count of  his  affliction  in  1807. 

For  more  than  twenty  years  after  Mr.  Long- 
den  became  a  member  of  the  Methodist  society, 
he  enjoyed  an  ahnost  uninterrupted  state  of 
good  health.  He  was  remarkable  for  muscular 
strength  and  activity,  as  well  as  for  a  regular 
flow  of  cheerfulness  and  sweetness  of  temper. 
The  natural  and  divine  ability  v/hich  was  given 
him  he  employed  in  the  work  of  God,  v/ith 
zeal  for  his  honour,  and  love  to  the  souls  of 
men,  bought  with  the  precious  blood  of  the  Son 
of  God. 

At  length  his  constitution  and  strength  be- 
gan to  fail.  Various  infirmities  appeared  in 
succession :  the  relaxed  nerve,  the  trembling 
hand,  and  the  feeble  step.  By  the  number  of 
his  years,  he  might  have  been  reckoned  to  be 
in  the  zenith  of  his  strength,  but  he  felt  the 
approach  of  a  premature  old  age.  He  some- 
times said,  "  It  is  new  work  for  me  to  learn  to 
"walk  slower  up  hill  than  down  hill."  After 
preaching  twice  on  a  Sabbath,  he  began  to 
have  feverish,  restless  nights,  and  he  did  not 
usually  recover  from  the  fatigue  of  that  ex- 
ercise till  the  middle  of  the  week.  He  was 
now  convinced  that  he  ought  to  regulate  his 
delivery  in  the  pulpit,  and  that  he  might  speak 
as  clearly  and  impressively  in  a  low  as  in  an 
elevated  tone  of  voice  :  and  that,  if  he  could 


138  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 

acquire  a  calm  and  deliberate  enunciation,  he 
might  continue  to  preach  without  much  injury 
to  himself. 

No  man  ever  resolved  more  firmly,  or  strove 
more  uniformly,  to  comply  with  his  own  injunc- 
tions, in  this  respect,  than  he  did  ;  yet  when  in 
the  pulpit,  in  the  midst  of  his  work,  the  hea- 
venly fire  kindling,  his  rules  and  restrictions 
were  consumed  as  stubble,  and  he  laboured  as 
though  he  was  preaching  his  last  sermon.  He 
used  to  say,  "  My  horse  ran  away  with  me." 
Such  were  his  views  of  the  vast  worth  of  souls, 
that  he  would  not  have  hesitated  to  die  in  tiie 
pulpit  if,  by  that  means,  he  might  become  the 
instrument  of  their  salvation.  From  the  time 
of  his  preaching  the  funeral  sermon  of  James 
Mallinson,  he  was  never  able  regularly  to  take 
his  full  work  in  the  plan. 

"  I  must  give  over  preaching,"  he  says  in 
his  diary,  '•  or  die  :"  and  he  was  obliged  to  re- 
linquish his  pleasant  work  altogether  for  a  sea- 
son. But  see  the  man  of  God!  if  he  cannot  be 
useful  in  one  way,  he  will,  if  possible,  be  so  in 
another.  Mr.  L.  could  only  preach  with  his 
whole  soul,  and  therefore  he  could  not  preach 
at  all,  but  he  could  lead  classes  :  he  accordingly 
visited  all  the  classes  in  the  town  and  its  vici- 
nity, difi"using  the  divine  savour  wherever  he 
went.  We  have  seen  his  remarks  on  some  of 
these  visitations. 

He  regularly  rose  about  five  o'clock  in  sum- 
mer, and  at  six  in  winter.  He  appropriated 
thehoin-5j  b.?fore  breakfast  to  devotion  j  esteem- 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  139 

ing  them  the  best  part  of  the  day,  as  most  con. 
genial  to  worship.  He  was  not  then  Hable  to 
interruption,  nor  was  his  mind  engaged  in  the 
duties  of  the  day.  He  soared  on  the  v/ings  of 
contemplation  ;  and  was  admitted  by  the  blood 
of  Christ  into  the  most  holy  place,  to  hold  com- 
munion with  his  God.  Thus  he  began  his  days, 
by  quiet  meditation,  fervent  prayer,  and  a  de- 
votional reading  of  the  Scriptures.  Nor  did  he 
dare  to  enter  upon  the  duties,  the  dangers,  or 
the  sufferings  of  the  day,  without  renewing  his 
covenant  engagements.  Being  filled  with  the 
Spirit,  he  went  forth  into  the  world  with  cau- 
tious, wary  steps. 

His  forenoons  were  generally  spent  in  exer- 
cise in  the  air,  and  in  visiting — not  those  in 
affluent  and  easy  circumstances  ;  but  he  sought 
Christ  in  his  poor  members,  in  the  abodes  of 
adversity,  and  the  houses  of  affliction  and 
mourning ;  removing  their  despondency,  and 
heightening  their  pious  joys.  Scores,  perhaps 
hundreds,  of  those  whom  he  conducted  by  his 
friendly  attentions  to  the  verge  of  heaven  have 
hailed  him  on  the  celestial  shore. 

His  afternoons,  if  not  prevented  by  any  ap- 
pointment, were  spent  in  his  study.  His  library 
was  a  collection  of  the  writings  of  the  best 
English  divines ;  and  he  made  them  his  own, 
as  far  as,  in  his  views,  they  accorded  with  the 
infallible  truth  of  God.  He  used  prayer  in  all 
things,  but  especially  in  study.  From  a  child 
he  knew  the  Scriptures  in  general;  but  now 
he  studied  every  part  of  revelation  with  close 


140  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

attention.  His  younger  brethren  have  often 
found  him  able  and  willing  to  direct  their  stu- 
dies, and  point  out  the  best  manner  of  useful- 
ness in  the  church  and  in  the  pulpit. 

In  his  visits  to  dinner  or  tea,  (which  were 
not  frequent,)  his  rule  was,  to  pray  in  every 
house,  and  to  direct  all  his  words  to  their  edi- 
fication. All  chit-chat  and  slanderous  conver- 
sation were  banished  wherever  he  came,  and 
he  left  uppermost  in  the  minds  of  the  people  a 
sense  of  eternity  and  the  pleasure  of  true 
religion. 

Every  evening  in  the  year,  if  his  health 
would  permit,  v.as  occupied  with  the  public 
means  of  grace ;  either  preaching,  or  class,  or 
band,  or  select  band.  It  was  his  confident  be- 
lief, that  no  religious  body  on  earth  was  equal 
to  the  Methodists  in  religious  privileges  ;  and 
he  laboured  diligently  to  "  occupy  till  the  Lord 
should  come,"  that  none  of  his  opportunities 
might  rise  up  in  judgment  to  condemn  him.  In 
fine,  he  spent  his  days  in  holiness  and  happi- 
ness, in  devotedness  and  usefulness.  His 
continued  weakness  and  frequent  pain  called 
every  grace  into  exercise  ;  in  the  crucible  he 
was  tried,  and  made  white,  and  purified. 

When  his  health  was  restored  a  little,  he 
renewed  his  exertions  in  preaching,  which  were 
always  followed  by  a  relapse  of  his  former 
"Weakness  and  suffering.  When  he  had  not 
strength  to  preach,  he  often  attended  the  Sun- 
day school  as  a  spiritual  instructer,  and  he  saw 
fruit  of  his  labour  in  this  way.     Indeed,  his 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  141 

grateful  heart  would  be  employed  some  way  for 
God ;  and  when  his  strength  failed  him  for  one 
kind  of  usefulness,  he  sought  out  another. 

After  a  series  of  time,  however,  it  pleased 
the  Lord  so  far  to  raise  and  restore  him  to 
health,  that  he  was  able  to  preach  once  on  the 
Lord's  day.  With  what  pleasure  he  went  forth 
again  to  declare  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ :  it  was  his  meat  and  his  drink,  the  joy 
and  delight  of  his  heart.  He  continued  to 
labour  thus  for  several  years,  sometimes  ven- 
turing to  preach  twice  on  a  day,  but  never 
without  injury  to  himself. 

In  the  night  of  December  16,  1807,  he  was 
aw^oke  in  bed  by  a  pain,  which  he  could  only 
compare  to  boiling  liquid  metal  in  his  bowels. 
He  leaped  out  of  bed,  sought  for  ease  in  every 
posture,  in  bed,  out  of  bed.  rolling  upon 
the  floor,  &c.,  but  all  in  vain.  His  body 
sweat  at  every  pore  !  Medical  help  was  called 
in  immediately,  and,  after  some  hours,  which 
seemed  like  ages  of  misery,  a  little  ease  was 
obtained. 

The  professional  gentlemen  entertained  hopes 
of  his  recovery  until  Sunday,  the  twentieth, 
when,  early  in  the  morning,  he  had  a  relapse. 
He  struggled  with  the  pain  some  time  before 
he  would  suffer  any  help  to  be  called  in. 
When  the  doctors  arrived,  it  was  evident  they 
had  no  hope  ;  notwithstanding  they  made  every 
effort. 

The  opinion  of  the  doctors  was  soon  spread 
through  the  town.     Public  prayers  were  most 


142  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

devoutly  offered  up  to  almighty  God,  by  the 
whole  congregation  to  spare  his  useful  life  ;  if 
consistent  with  divine  wisdom.  But  all  appear, 
ed  in  vain.  His  body  was  convulsed  all  the 
day,  and  his  triumphant  spirit  appeared  to  be 
receding  from  a  suffering  world  below.  He 
took  an  affectionate  leave  of  his  dear  wife  and 
children,  and  many  of  his  intimate  friends  : 
others  snatched  a  parting  glance  from  between 
the  curtains. 

I  have  transcribed  from  my  diary  the  follow- 
ing sayings,  which  he  uttered  at  intervals  while 
he  lay  upon  the  bed  of  languishing.  The  for- 
mer  part  of  the  time  he  was  frequently  in  an 
agony  of  excruciating  pain,  but  with  an  open- 
ing view  of  an  eternal  world. 

Decemher  20,  1807.  Tossing  in  bed,  and 
not  able  to  lie  a  minute,  without  seeking  a  new 
posture,  he  said  with  triumph,  "  Let  God  be 
glorified  ;  what  does  it  signify  whether  we  have 
ease  or  pain,  up  or  down,  (in  bed,)  whether  in 
health  or  sickness,  lite  or  death." 

To  J.  D.  he  said,  "  Eternity  is  best,  you  may 
say  what  you  will.  Make  sure  work  for  eter- 
nity :  I  have  much  against  mv-self,  but  Jesus 
has  nothing  against  me."  "  The  Lord  has  just 
caught  me  at  a  right  time.  How  happy,  how 
sweet  was  my  mind,  I  preached  last  Sunday  at 
Heley,  from  James  i,  2-4  ;  and  in  tlie  evening 
at  Cross  Scythes,  from  the  three  following 
verses."  Mr.  B r  said,  "You  have  no- 
thing to  do  now  but  to  look  to  Jesus;"  to 
which  he  replied,  "  I  have  not  to  look  far,  not 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  14  S 

even  to  the  end  of  the  room  ;  he  is  nearer  and 
nearer." 

In  an  agony  of  pain  he  said,  "  This  is  not 
hke  a  knife  :  it  is  hke  a  red-hot  knife  !  Jesus 
suffered,  being  innocent :  let  Jesus  be  glori- 
fied ;  let  every  thing  else  give  way." 

We  remark  here  that,  while  Mr.  Levick 
was  pleading  with  God  for  his  life  and  re- 
covery, a  present  answer  was  given.  He  was 
no  more  convulsed ;  and  when  the  doctors  came, 
an  hour  after,  they  remarked  the  change,  and 
entertained  hopes  of  his  recovery  from  that 
time. 

21.  He  said,  "When  Jesus  was  asked  to 
go  and  heal  the  centurion's  servant,  they  said, 
*  He  is  worthy,  for  he  hath  built  us  a  synagogue.' 
Now  we  can  say,  '  Our  Jesus  is  worthy,  for  he 
has  laid  down  his  life  for  perishing  sinners.' 

"  I  see  more  than  ever  the  dangers  which 
beset  our  path  to  heaven.  The  body  in  which 
we  dwell  is  composed  of  senses,  which,  if  in- 
dulged, are  enemies  to  spirituality.  It  is  com- 
posed  of  flesh  and  blood,  and  naturally  loves 
sloth  and  its  consequences,  carelessness  and 
procrastination.  As  men  of  business,  we  are 
in  danger  from  anxiety  and  a  desire  to  hoard 
money.  As  inhabitants  of  the  world,  we 
are  in  danger  from  the  influence  of  appear- 
ances and  the  force  of  human  opinions,  as 
well  as  from  the  spirit  of  the  world.  Add  to 
this  the  power,  the  malice,  and  the  subtlety  of 
Satan — yea,  of  all  hell  combined  against  us. 
The    covetous   man  collects  and    counts   his 


144  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

money,  and  thus  he  barters  his  soul.  The  sen- 
sualist eats  and  drinks,  and  his  god  is  his 
belly  :  and  how  many  are  slain  by  harmony 
and  beauty." 

"  Sunday,  December  27.  In  former  afflic- 
tions I  have  been  tempted  that  nobody  cared 
whether  I  was  well  or  ill,  lived  or  died  ;  also 
what  would  become  of  my  family,  when  they 
had  lost  their  head ;  but  I  am  quite  deli- 
vered from  these  things.  I  have  not  had  one 
painful  thought  in  this  atHiction.  All  glory  be 
to  God." 

He  awoke  and  observed,  "  I  prize  health 
more  than  I  ever  did  :  it  is  a  cluster  of  jewels  ; 
it  ought  not  to  be  carelessly  injured,  much  less 
destroyed." 

The  doctor  said  one  day,  "  Were  it  not  for 
these  ifs  and  huts,  we  could  get  on  nobly." 
He  replied,  "  They  are  all  wisely  ordered.  Our 
enjoyments  depend  upon  our  viewing  them 
through  a  true  or  a  false  medium." 

He  said,  "  If  I  die  at  this  time,  I  wish  to 
have  nothing  said  of  me  by  way  of  praise  ; 
nothing  but  plain  matter  of  fact,  that  I  died, 
aged  so  many  years,  and  that  I  was  so  many 
years  a  member  of  the  Methodist  society,  a 
class-leader  and  a  local  preacher."  We  were 
much  aflected  :  he  also  wept.  Mr.  B.  said, 
"  Don't  distress  yourself."  "  O,  no,"  he  re- 
plied, "  I  am  no  more  distressed  than  if  I  were 
talking  of  my  breakfast  or  my  dinner." 

After  a  pause,  he  said,  "  So  one  genera- 
tion succeeds  another.     It  is  but  as  yesterday 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  145 

since  I  was  a  young  man,  and  buried  my  mo- 
jther  and  my  father; — the  way  of  all  living! 
,Now  I  have  seen  my  day,  and  it  has  been  a 
;sweet  day  ! 

"When  I  think  of  my  children,  I  could 
;almost  cast  anchor  for  life ;  but  when  I  con- 
isider,  if  I  were  spaied  a  few  years,  my  infir- 
'nities,  my  uselessness  to  the  church,  and  my 
liability  to  these  attacks,  and  contrast  them 
with  the  joys  of  heaven,  to  die  will  be  infinite 
gain.''^ 

1  To  T.  B.,  who  was  going  to  Nottingham, 
jhe  said,  "  I  feel  nature  is  sinking  and  faint- 
ling,  and  as  if  I  could  desire  of  Jesus  Christ 
to  open  paradise  to-night.  As  to  my  soul,  it 
is  not  possible  for  me  to  doubt.  To  inquire, 
iDo  you  think  the  Lord  loves  me?  would  be 
dishonourable  to  God.  How  easy  it  is  for 
'me  to  say,  I  know,  I  feel  his  love.  Give  my 
'dying  love  to  my  Charlotte,"  (fee,  &:c. 

He  had  now  been  about  a  fortnight  in  a 
state  of  the  greatest  weakness,  apparently  on 
the  borders  of  eternity  ;  there  appeared  only 
a  bare  possibility,  but  no  probability,  of  his 
recovery. 

At  this  time  he  said,  "  I  am  so  deeply  con- 
vinced of  the  wisdom  of  God  in  his  moral  go- 
vernment,  in  guiding  and  guarding,  ruling  and 
governing,  disposing  and  controlling,  the  whole 
creation,  animate  and  inanimate,  that  I  can 
heartily  say,  Father,  thy  will  be  done. 

"  O  God,  fill  my  soul :    why  may  not  my 
soul  be   filled?     I  come   to  thee  for  the  fuj- 
10 


146  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

filment  of  thy  promises,  through  the  merits  and 
mediation  of  Jesus  Christ.  I  can  resign  my 
dear  wife  and  children  to-night  to  come  to  thee  : 
thou  wilt  take  care  of  them." 

To  his  daughter  Sarah,  when  raising  him  up, 
he  said,  "  Thank  thee,  my  love,  this  will  soon 
be  over." 

To  his  wife,  Vvhen  leaving  him  for  the 
night,  he  said,  "  My  dear,  stay  thy  mind  upon 
thy  God :  call  to  mind  his  past  mercy  and 
faithfulness.  Thou  art  my  chief  care,  nearer 
to  me  than  all  my  children  :  ever  remember, 
God  is  li'ith  thee  :  that  this  struorcrle  for  life 
and  death  cannot  hold  out  long,  and  that  all 
will  end  well.  If  I  recover  thou  shalt  see  how 
we  will  help  one  another ;  and  if  I  do  not  re- 
cover,  thou  wilt  soon  follow  after.  '  Who 
meet  on  that  eternal  shore,  shall  never  part 
again.'  Be  assured,  then,  the  Lord  will  sup- 
port and  comfort  thee." 

To  his  nephew,  who  was  waking  with  him, 
he  said,  "  Be  wise  to  improve  your  time,  and 
prepare  for  these  circumstances.  I  hope  the 
preaching  of  Mr.  B.  will  be  made  a  blessing 
to  you."  "  I  hope,''  he  said,  "  it  is,  but  I  reckon 
it  to  be  so  only  as  it  influences  my  heart  and 
life." 

"  "What  comforts  I  have  !  and  my  dear  Lord 
lay  upon  the  cold,  damp  ground.  What  a  suc- 
cession of  affectionate  friends  I  have  to  wake 
with  me,  and  to  wait  upon  me  in  the  night 
season ;  but  my  Saviour  was  forsaken  of  his 
friends  in  that  night  of  sore  extremity,  and 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  147 

was  surrounded  only  by  his  enemies,  who  thirst- 
ed for  his  blood. 

"  O  that  1  might  be  permitted  to  ask  the 
speedy  appearance  of  my  dehverer  !  But  no, 
this  is  selhsh  and  cowardly.  All  my  appointed 
hours  will  I  wait,  till  my  change  come. 

"  O  the  glory  which  awaits  the  faithful ! 
I  sometimes  think  my  mother  and  my  sister 
will  be  sent  to  convey  my  happy  freed  spirit  to 
the  bosom  of  God.  Before  that  change  come, 
I  expect  a  full  manifestation  of  the  Spirit.  Yet 
I  do  not  consider  this  as  essential  to  my  safety 
or  happiness ;  if  this  favour  be  withheld,  the 
will  of  the  Lord  be  done." 

When  Mr.  Longden  had  lain  in  this  happv, 
hopeless  state  about  three  weeks,  the  obstinate 
and  dangerous  symptoms  of  his  complaint  be- 
gan to  give  way,  and  v/e  were  encouraged  to 
hope  he  would  be  given  again  for  a  season 
to  his  family  and  the  church.  He  began  to 
recover  by  slow  degrees,  contrary  to  all  our 
fears  ;  and,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  doctors, 
he  was  raised  from  this  bed  of  affliction. 

The  following  is  his  own  account  of  this 
illness,  in  a  letter  written  to  a  friend,  when  he 
was  recovering,  February  8,  1808  ; — 

"  How  shall  I  describe  the  loving  kindness 
of  our  faithful,  covenant-keeping  God  !  His 
strength  has  been  perfected  in  my  extreme 
weakness.  In  my  late  affliction  my  pain  was 
frequently  so  acute  that,  looking  forward  but 
one  Jiour,  was  like  anticipating  yeaj's  of  an- 
guish f   yet,  glory   be  to  God,  I  have  always 


148  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

found  his  grace  sufficient  for  the  present  mo- 
ment. 

"  I  was  in  a  sweet  frame  of  mind  when  I 
was  seized  with  this  inflammation.  I  had 
spent  the  morning  of  that  day  visiting  Christ 
in  his  poor  afflicted  members.  The  Sabbath 
before,  I  could  not  preach  from  any  other 
words  than  these,  '  Jly  brethren,  count  it  aU 
joy  when  ye  faU  into  divers  temptations ; 
knowing  this,  that  the  trying  of  your  faith 
worketh  patience  ;  but  let  patience  have  her 
perfect  work,  that  ye  may  be  perfect  and  en- 
tire, wanting  nothing.'  These  words  were 
my  comfort  and  support  in  all  my  agonies. 
My  extremity  was  so  great,  and  my  weakness 
so  extreme,  that  I  felt  very  little  sensible  com- 
fort :  but  I  always  had  a  firm  and  unshaken 
confidence  in  the  mercy  of  God,  and  the  me- 
rits of  Jesus  Christ.  And  He  who  has  felt  our 
infirmities,  and  borne  our  griefs,  did  not  suf- 
fer  Satan  to  throw  one  fiery  dart,  or  to  bring 
one  railing  accusation,  against  me  throughout 
my  affliction.  Nor  do  I  remember  that  I 
ever  felt  one  painful  thought  to  enter  my 
mind  from  the  beginning.  Such  condescen- 
sion and  compassion  belong  to  God:  adored  be 
his  name. 

"  When  my  pain  was  removed,  and  I  could 
reflect,  I  found  myself  very  defective.  I  saw 
in  myself  a  very  faint  resemblance  of  my  dear 
Lord,  his  profound  humility,  his  unbounded 
love,  &;c.  Covered  with  shame,  I  often  cried 
out,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner !     The 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  149 

Lord  is  now  raising  me  up  again,  and  I  feel 
willing  to  remain  in  this  vale  of  tears,  that  I 
may  obtain  all  the  mind  that  was  in  Christ. 

"  I  have  been  overcome  with  affectionate 
solicitude  and  attention  of  my  friends  ;  many 
of  them  have  insisted,  in  succession,  to  wake 
with  me,  affording  me  every  possible  alleviation 
and  comfort.  x\dd  to  this,  that  prayers  have 
been  offered  up,  in  public  and  private,  that  the 
Lord  would  spare  the  life  of  a  poor  worm.  I 
assure  you,  I  need  your  prayers  more  than  ever, 
that  I  may  fully  answer  the  requirements  of 
God,  and  the  expectation  of  my  friends." 

In  the  month  of  November,  in  the  same  year, 
he  wrote  to  the  same  correspondent,  as  follows : 

"  My  health  is  very  precarious,  which  obliges 
me  to  be  very  careful  in  my  diet  and  regimen, 
and  moderate  in  every  exercise.  I  thank  the 
Lord,  I  am  able  to  meet  my  classes,  and  have 
strength  sometimes  to  preach  once  on  a  Sab- 
bath day,  although  I  have  frequent  slight  re- 
turns of  my  pain.  This  serves  to  keep  me  in 
an  equilibrium  between  time  and  eternity.  I 
do  pray  with  submission,  that  the  Lord  would 
employ  me  in  some  little  way  while  1  live  here ; 
and  theil 

'  My  body  with  my  charge  lay  down, 
And  ceass  at  once  to  work  and  live.' 

"  I  often  feel  enlargement  in  prayer,  even 
to  agony,  for  my  friends,  the  church,  and  the 
world.  I  desire  all  the  life  of  faith,  and  closer 
union  with  God.  If  I  increase  in  any  thing 
which  is  good,  it  is  in  a  knowledge  of  myself. 


150  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

and  a  deadness  to  the  world.  Jesus  is  my  Sa- 
viour. I  wonder  at  his  patience  and  admire 
his  goodness,  so  richly  and  repeatedly  mani- 
fested to  such  a  vile  sinner." 

In  another  letter,  written  June,  1809,  he  ob- 
serves— 

"  I  am  likely  to  become  a  poor  inactive  in- 
valid, laid  aside  like  a  poor  broken  vessel  of  no 
use.  But  I  am  not  unhappy,  nor  am  I  even 
tempted  to  impatience  or  discontent.  It  is  suf- 
ficient for  me  to  know  that  my  life  and  health 
are  in  the  hand  and  under  the  merciful  disposal 
of  God,  who  frequently  gives  me  a  blessed  anti- 
cipation of  glory.  I  think  the  Lord  has  much 
to  do  for  me,  to  refine  and  fit  me  for  his  imme- 
diate presence  :  may  I  never  frustrate  his  de- 
sign !  Continue  to  pray  for  me,  and  my  fa- 
mily, for  I  liave  no  greater  joy  than  to  see  my 
children  walking  in  the  truth." 

There  are  hallowed  feelings  and  realizing 
views  of  eternity,  to  which  we  are  strangers  in 
health,  and  which  can  only  be  known  in  such 
a  state  of  affliction  as  we  have  now  narrated — 
a  state  in  which  every  human  refuge  is  vain, 
in  which  the  heart  and  the  flesh  fail !  To  die 
is  momentous  !  To  enter  into  a  new  state  of 
existence,  is  truly  awful !  even  when  aided  by 
all  the  precious  assurances  of  the  Scriptures 
of  truth,  and  supported  by  the  comforting  pre- 
sence of  God.  Such  a  near  and  apparently 
certain  prospect  of  eternity  calls  every  grace 
into  exercise,  and  puts  every  power  to  the  full 
proof.     Nevertheless,  this   is  the   Christian's 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  151 

experience  ;  he  looks  without  dismay  at  the  ap- 
proaching monster,  and  cries,  "  O  death !  where 
is  thy  sting  1  and  where  thy  boasted  victory, 
O  grave?  Thanks  bo  to  God  who  giveth  us  tho 
victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  He 
looks  attentively  into  the  dark  valley,  which 
to  him  is  as  the  "  shadov/  of  death,"  but  be- 
hold the  other  end  of  it  is  lighted  up  with  the 
bursting  rays  of  glory  !  He  cannot  fear  any 
evil,  for  God  is  with  him,  and  has  engaged 
never  to  leave  or  forsake  him. 

Such  was  the  experience  of  Mr.  Longden  in 
his  late  affliction,  and  his  remnant  of  days  were 
spent  as  if  he  had  then  been  favoured  with  a 
view  of  heaven  itself.  Every  excellence  which 
composed  his  character  shone  more  bright  than 
ever.  His  ardent  love  to  his  friends,  and  his 
great  forbearance  with  his  enemies,  his  dead- 
ness  to  the  world,  and  his  heaveniy-minded- 
ness ;  a  disposition  which  is  no  other  than  the 
soul's  being  formed  to  the  veneration  of  the 
eternal  wisdom,  goodness,  and  power  ;  profound 
humility,  and  the  spirit  of  prayer  and  thanks- 
giving, a  mind  created  anew  in  the  image  of 
God,  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness,  meet 
to  dwell  in  the  heavenly  regions,  where  nothing 
but  perfect  purity,  entire  devotedness  to  God, 
Jove,  goodness,  benignity,  order,  and  peace,  shall 
have  place  for  ever. 

All  his  actions  and  tempers,  the  invigorated 
zeal  of  all  his  public  labours  in  the  pulpit,  in 
his  classes,  &c.,  proclaimed,  "  I  have  nearly 
done  with  this  inch  of  time ;  I  am  dressing  for 


153  LIFE   OF  LONGDEN. 

eternity  !     I  live   for  immortality !     Why  do 
thy  chariot  wheels  delay  ?  Lord,  for  thee  I  wait ! 

'  O  come  thou  down  to  me  ! 
Or  take  me  up  to  thee  V  " 


CHAPTER  VI. 

His  Character. 

SECT.  I. HIS  UNION  WITH  GOD  BY  FAITH. 

We  have  seen  from  his  diary,  in  the  year 
1778,  that  he  had  not  been  long  in  the  way 
before  he  was  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  a 
clean  heart.  At  the  same  time  he  learned 
that  faith  is  the  cementing  principle,  in  con- 
sequence whereof  the  sap  of  divine  influ- 
ence flows  into  the  believer's  soul,  purifying 
his  heart,  filling  him  with  heavenly  conso- 
lations, and  causing  him  to  abound  in  the 
fruits  of  holiness.  The  ardent  spirit  of  our 
friend  was  not  willing  to  rest  short  of  all  that 
salvation  which  is  revealed  in  the  Scriptures 
of  truth.  Beholding  the  infinite  power  and 
mercy  of  God,  and  being  assured  that  what  the 
Lord  had  promised  he  would,  for  Christ's  sake, 
also  perform ;  he  staggered  not  through  unbe- 
lief, but  confidently  believed  every  word  which 
cometh  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Most  High  ; 
and  according  to  his  faith  it  was  done  unto 
him — he  was  put  in  possession  of  that  purity 
which  his  soul  had  thirsted  for. 


,  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  153 

1 

He  states,  in  his  memoirs,  how  he  was  con- 
firmed in  this  grace,  in  the  revival  of  religion, 
in  1794.     Previously  to  this  event  he  was  uni- 
I  formly  exemplary,  pressing  after  all  the  mind 
that  was  in  Christ,  and  often  sitting  with  him 
in  heavenly  places.       But,  henceforward,  the 
;  living  waters  flowed  like  a  river,  and  his  union 
of  love  was  full,  intimate,  and  uninterrupted. 
He  could  distinguish   between  the  devices  of 
Satan  and  the  depravity  of  the  human   heart, 
and  was  freed  from  those  fears  and  reasonings 
which  bring  the  soul  into  bondage,  and  which 
I  many    times   had  caused   him   to   cast   away, 
'  through  iornorance,   the  pearl  of  perfect  love. 
!  He  learned  experimentally  what  he  had  before 
known  but  by  hearsay  ;  to  wit,  that  passions 
'  as  naturally  flow  from  divine  love  as  from  that 
which   is   human.     This  (says  an  eminent  di- 
I  vine)  can  only  be  comprehended  by  those  who 
,  understand  the  language  of  perfect  love.     The 
1  bottom  of  the  soul  (he  adds)  may  be  in  repose, 
'  even  when  we  are  in  many  outward  troubles, 
I  just  as  the  bottom  of  the  sea  is  calm,  while  the 
.'  surface  is  strongly  agitated. 
I       We  have  his  views  upon  this  subject  in  the 

following  extracts  from  his  letters  : — 
I  -^ug.  27, 1800.  "  I  am  certain  many  things 
:  may  occur,  which,  for  the  present,  may  damp 
t  our  joy,  but  not  any  thing  to  weaken  our  power 
I  of  believing,  and  giving  constantly  an  undi- 
'  vided  heart  to  the  Lord.  I  have  experienced 
I  a  deeper  work  of  the  Spirit  since  I  saw  you. 
j   My  communion  with  God  has  been  con-stant  \ 


154  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 

nevertheless,  T  see  infinite  lengths  before  me. 
I  would  not  touch,  or  taste,  even  in  voluntary 
thought,  whatever  would  defile  the  soul.  1 
pray  to  be  found  improving  the  talents  which 
God  vouchsafes  me  ;  doing  all,  and  offering  all 
a  sacrifice  of  faith,  without  which  it  is  impos- 
sible to  please  God." 

August  11,  1803.  "I  have  found  by  expe 
rience  that  we  may  feel  very  differently,  as  it 
relates  to  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  a  state  of 
sanctification  ;  when  we  wade  through  deep 
waters,  and  when  vre  ride  above  the  storms. 
We  dwell  in  a  body  of  flesh,  liable  to  pain  and 
disease  ;  we  live  in  a  world  of  hardened  sin- 
ners,  who  are  proud,  deceitful,  and  revengeful : 
we  are  encompassed  with  apostate  spirits,  who 
are  full  of  envy,  craft,  and  rage,  and  who  seek 
with  amazing  success  to  distress  or  to  deceive 
us.  Is  it  any  wonder  then  that  persons  so  cir- 
cumstanced should  feel  heaviness  through  ma- 
nifold temptations  ?  Let  it,  however,  be  re- 
membered, that  every  unholy  temper  and  im- 
pure desire  is  incompatible  with  his  grace  :  on 
the  contrary,  persons  so  saved  always  feel  sweet 
patience  and  resignation  in  every  suffering  of 
life,  are  firm  and  undaunted  in  opposing  every 
enemy,  and  are  ready  to  forgive  every  injurv. 

"  It  is  true  some  lose  the  blessing  of  entire 
sanctification,  by  ignorantly  giving  place  to 
doubt  in  the  midst  of  difficulty,  when  they  feel 
no  wrong  desire  or  temper  :  and  others,  through 
inexperience,  when  they  first  attain  it,  vainly 
suppose  they  have  found  a  place  of  rest ;  and 


LIFE    OF   L0N6DEN.  155 

relax  in  duty,  instead  of  using  greater  diligence. 
But  others  happily  are  better  taught,  that  the 
only  way  to  maintain  their  ground  is  to  go  on 
to  greater  conquests,  till  the  Captain  of  their 
salvation  calls  them  to  put  off  their  armour." 

His  consecrated  heart  became  thus  the  con- 
stant habitation  of  God  through  the  Spirit,  by 
receiving  the  great  charter  of  the  gospel,  "  I 
and  my  Father  will  love  him,  and  we  will  come 
unto  him,  and  make  our  abode  with  him  :"  and 
hence  he  could  not  be  moved  by  unexpected 
trial,  or  sudden  temptation  ;  but,  having  on 
the  whole  armour  of  God,  he  stood  in  a  state 
of  self-possession,  ready  prepared  for  every  at- 
tack, from  every  quarter,  and  in  every  form. 
In  all  places,  his  soul  was  breathing  after  God — 
having  his  glory  in  view,  desiring  to  please  him 
in  all  things  :  covenanting  to  love  with  greater 
ardour  him  who  is  the  altogether  lovely,  and 
to  serve  him  who  is  the  best  of  masters,  with 
increased  fidelity.  In  return,  God  vouchsafed 
to  converse  with  him  by  the  way,  to  feed  him 
with  the  bread  of  life,  and  to  delight  his  soul 
with  hopes  blooming  with  immortality. 

Writing  to  a  friend,  December,  1804,  he 
says  : — 

"  It  is  a  long  time  since  I  had  such  a  v/eek 
of  close  communion  with  God  as  the  present ; 
one  drop  of  heavenly  honey  after  another  has 
been  given  me  :  and  I,  weeping,  have  been  tilled 
with  astonishment  at  the  condescension  of  my 
Lord.     How  easy  it  is  to  suffer  in  this  spirit." 


156  LIFE    OF   L0NGDE5. 

SECT.  II. HIS   DEVOTED?fESS  TO  GOD. 

He  called  Jesus  Lord,  by  the  Holy  Ghost; 
naming  the  name  of  Christ,  he  departed  from 
all  secret  and  open  iniquity  ;  reverencing  the 
name  of  God,  he  submitted  to  his  authority ; 
and  confessing  Jesus  as  his  Saviour,  he  resolved 
to  follow  him  as  his  infallible  guide.  As  a  sin- 
cere  disciple  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  he  forsook  all 
the  gratifications  of  a  vain  world.  His  renun- 
ciation  of  the  flesh,  and  deadness  to  the  world, 
were  more  openly  evinced  in  consequence  of 
the  death  of  an  opulent  relation,  when  he  was 
raised  from  comfortable  to  independent  circum- 
stances. Instantly  the  eyes  of  all  around  were 
fixed  upon  him,  watching  whether  he  would 
maintain  the  same  plainness  of  dress,  and  con- 
tinue  his  former  familiarity  with  the  poor  of 
Christ's  flock,  or  whether  he  would  become 
effeminate  in  his  manners,  relaxing  in  his  zeal 
and  diligence  in  the  church,  and  be  worldly  in 
his  appearance  ;  devoting  his  money  to  supply 
the  imaginary  wants  which  the  rich  are  ever 
forming  in  endless  variety.  But  no,  his  devo- 
tedness  to  God  was  sincere  and  unaffected  ;  he 
M-as  proof  against  every  snare  and  allurement, 
enjoying  the  kingdom  of  an  inward  heaven. 

Being  now  no  longer  necessitated  to  pay  per- 
sonal  attention  to  business,  he  relinquished 
every  secular  engagement,  resolving  to  set  him- 
self  wholly  apart  for  God.  He  dedicated  his 
possessions,  his  time,  and  his  strength,  to  Christ 
in  his  church  and  in  the  world,  "  presenting 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  157 

himself  a  living  sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  to 
God,  as  his  reasonable  service."  His  devoted- 
ness  to  tlie  church  as  a  preacher,  as  a  class- 
leader,  and  as  a  counsellor  to  those  who  needed 
and  souglit  his  advice,  was  peculiarly  exten- 
sive and  exemplary.  He  was  well  titted  to 
perform  the  difficult  and  important  duty  of 
visiting  the  sick  and  dying  ;  and  he  refused  no 
application,  but  considered  the  request  of  the 
afflicted  as  a  sufficient  call  to  visit  persons  even 
in  the  most  malignant  and  contagious  fevers. 
He  went,  obeying  such  a  summons,  in  full  as. 
surance  of  faith,  with  singleness  of  eye,  "  not 
counting  his  life  dear  unto  himself,  so  that  he 
might  finish  his  course  with  joy,  and  the  minis- 
try which  he  had  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
to  testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God."  He 
was  the  servant  of  all,  and  he  only  desired  to 
live  that  he  might  diff\ise  happiness  to  all.  For 
the  purpose  of  spreading  the  religion  of  Jesus, 
he  prayed  and  wept,  he  used  his  purse,  his  in- 
fluence, and  his  authority  ;  he  invited  and  re- 
monstrated, argued  and  persuaded,  travelled 
and  preached  with  indefatigable  zeal. 

This  important  work  so  deeply  affected  his 
heart,  that  he  was  often  influenced  to  labour 
beyond  his  strength,  and  his  concern  for  the 
interests  of  religion  was  manifested  by  his  joy 
when  the  Spirit  was  poured  upon  the  people, 
and  many  sinners  were  converted  to  God  ;  nor 
was  it  less  evidenced  by  his  pungent  sorrow 
when  the  peace  of  Zion  was  disturbed,  and  her 
prosperity  interrupted. 


158  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

The  flame  of  divine  love  and  holy  zeal,  which 
began  at  his  conversion,  was  not  known  to  de- 
cline even  to  the  end  of  his  warfare.  His  faith, 
substantiating  the  realities  of  eternity,  led  him 
as  an  exile  far  from  home,  to  travel  uniformly 
in  his  pilgrimage  ;  persuading  all  he  could  to 
go  with  him  to  heaven,  the  pilgrim's  present 
hope,  the  saint's  eternal  rest. 

SECT.    III. HIS    POVERTY  OF    SPIRIT,    AXD    HIS 

HUNGERING    AND    THIRSTING    AFTER    RIGHT- 
EOUSNESS. 

We  connect  these  together,  because  the  one 
naturally  results  from  the  other.  Genuine 
humility  consists  not  in  mean  expressions, 
but  in  a  mean  opinion  of  ourselves.  It  refuses 
ever}^  assumption  of  praise  or  idea  of  merit ; 
and,  on  perfect  renunciation  of  self,  its  language 
is,  "  Paul  is  nothing  who  planteth,  and  Apollos 
is  nothing  who  watereth,  but  God  is  all  who 
givelh  the  increase."  Hence  arises,  of  neces- 
sity, an  earnest  seeking  after  God,  "  that  out 
of  his  fulness  may  be  received,  and  grace  for 
grace."  Of  this  humility  our  friend  was  a  con- 
spicuous example ;  he  deeply  felt  his  insuffi- 
ciency  ;  he  clearly  saw  the  poverty  of  human 
nature,  and  was  in  consequence  led  to  fix  his 
eye  on  that  fulness  which  is  in  God,  and  whence 
alone  he  could  be  supplied  with  grace  to  help 
in  time  of  need. 

We  vrill  hear  his  own  language,  as  extracted 
from  his  familiar  correspondence. 

September,  1797.    «  Since  I  saw  you,  my 


LIFE   OP   LONGDEN.  159 

soul  has  been  brought  into  closer  union  with 
God.  I  feel  more  sensibly  the  value  of  a  mo- 
ment, and  the  surpassing  importance  of  eternity. 
It  is  the  diligent  hand  that  maketh  rich  ;  and 
I  resolve,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  labour  more 
diligently  in  prayer  and  watchfulness.  I  know 
but  little  of  the  exceeding  greatness  of  the 
pov/er  of  God  in  the  believer's  soul.  This  view 
of  myself  does  not  tend  to  discourage,  but  to 
rouse  and  quicken  me. 

"  What  shall  I  say  to  excite  you  and  myself 
to  greater  diligence  ?  If  it  would  avail,  I  would 
inscribe  with  my  blood  '  mourning,  lamenta- 
tions, and  wo,  that  I  have  known  so  little  of 
God,  and  that  I  have  been  so  inactive  in  his 
cause.'  It  is  a  cutting  thought,  that  I  have 
known  the  truth  more  than  twenty  years,  and 
am  yet  no  farther  on  my  pilgrimage." 

September,  1798.  "  Jesus  is  still  precious 
to  me  as  my  prophet,  priest,  and  king.  I  never 
felt  such  need  of  him,  nor  such  ardent  desire 
after  him  as  now.  Two  things  stand  in  the 
way  of  my  increasing  in  communion  with 
Christ.  The  first  is  idleness.  I  am  not  pro- 
vident of  my  tim.e,  though  its  value  is  beyond 
hmnan  calculation.  If  a  heathen  emperor  said, 
*I  have  lost  a  day!'  I  may  say  I  have  lost 
many  years  !  The  second  is  self -pleasing. 
Although  the  desire  of  the  flesh  is  subdued 
through  the  grace  of  God,  yet  I  do  not,  as  I 
ought,  rejoice  in  crosses,  temptations,  and  afflic- 
tions, for  Christ's  sake  ;  nor  shall  I  ever  be  able, 
till   I  am  filled  with  the  fulness  of  God.     How 


160  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

shall  we  account  that  I  sometimes  feel  a  pro- 
pensity to  sink  into  lukewarraness  ?  It  is  with 
hard  labour,  with  all  my  privileges,  that  my 
soul  is  preserved  alive  to  God.  O  do  pray  for 
me,  that  my  soul  may  ardently  press  after  God, 
and  that  I  may  abound  in  humble,  patient, 
gentle,  meek,  all-conquering,  never-failing  love," 

November,  1799.  "  My  days  are  spent  in 
peace.  I  enjoy  such  a  degree  of  happiness  as 
seldom  falls  to  the  lot  of  man  in  this  transitory 
world  :  all  glory  be  given  to  the  Giver  of  all 
good  !  I  am  often,  however,  grieved  that  I  am 
so  little  devoted  to  God.  I  see  before  me  an 
open  door.  O  for  the  power  of  faith,  which 
bids  the  mountains  be  moved,  laughs  at  impos- 
sibilities,  and  cries.  It  shall  be  done  !  Thou 
knowest,  my  God,  whether  I  willingly  sink  into 
heaviness,  or  v>hether  it  is  the  necessary  con- 
sequence of  bodily  weakness  and  infirmity. 
This,  however,  is  certain  :  the  Lord  has  full 
possession  of  my  heart,  and  reigns  without  a 
rival." 

June,  1803.  "  I  am  deeply  ashamed  before 
God  and  his  holy  angels,  on  account  of  my  spi- 
ritual  slothfulness.  I  am  not  daily  stretcliing 
every  nerve  to  live  in  the  first  glory.  I  have 
long  desired  the  Lord  to  humble  me,  and  he  is 
come  with  his  fan  in  his  hand,  and  he  will  tho- 
roughly purge  the  floor." 

Novemher,  1803.  "  I  bless  the  Lord,  he  en- 
ables me  at  all  times  to  make  a  sacrifice  of  all 
to  him.  I  am  sweetly  at  liberty,  free  from  en- 
tanglements.    I   expect  all   and  seek  all   my 


LIFE    OP    LONGDEN.  I6l 

happiness  in  God.  But  my  state  of  mind  is 
not  what  I  could  wish  it  to  be.  I  want  to  live 
at  the  fountain  head,  evermore  thirsting  for 
God,  that  I  may  be  filled.  Thou  knowest,  O 
my  God  !  how  intensely  I  desire  this.  I  am 
almost  dejected  that  I  am  but  yet  a  dwarf! 
Our  compassionate  High  Priest,  however,  de- 
spiseth  not  the  day  of  small  and  feeble  things. 
He  is  faithful,  and  '  he  will  fulfil  the  desire  of 
them  that  fear  him.'  " 

His  soul  languished  and  pined  for  the  life- 
giving  presence  of  God  ;  he  pleaded  the  pro- 
mises with  the  vehemence  of  faith  ;  and  the 
more  he  received  out  of  the  divine  fulness,  the 
more  he  perceived  he  was  yet  but  on  the  very 
surface  of  the  unfathomable  and  eternal  salva- 
tion which  Christ  has  purchased  with  his  pre- 
cious blood.  Such  were  his  views  of  himself, 
certain  proof  that  his  piety  was  deep.  True  it 
is,  that  the  diligence  of  his  outward  practice 
would  not  seem  to  harmonize  with  these  self- 
accusations  of  slothfuiness  ;  but  though  he  felt 
that  he  was  weak,  yet  in  reality  he  was  strong 
in  the  power  of  God. 

'  SECT.   IV. HIS   SELF-DENIAL. 

I  The  life  of  a  Christian  is  a  life  of  spiritual- 
ity. "  To  be  carnally  minded,"  saith  the  apos- 
tle, "  is  death  ;  to  be  spiritually  minded  is  life 
;  and  peace  ;"  and,  "  if  ye  live  after  the  flesh  ye 
,  shall  die ;  but  if  ye,  through  the  Spirit,  mortify 
1  the  deeds  of  the  body,  ye  shall  live :"  and  "  they 
j  that  are  Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh,  with 
11 


162  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

the  affections  and  lusts.  For  ye  are  dead,  and 
your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God."  It  is  only 
faithful  souls  who  know  how  strait  is  the  path 
of  spirituality,  and  of  how  great  consequence 
is  the  least  indulgence  of  the  flesh.  It  is  the 
expression  of  a  great  man,  "  as  a  very  little 
dust  will  disorder  a  clock,  and  a  grain  of  sand 
•will  obscure  the  sight,  so  the  least  forbidden 
indulgence  wiU  hinder  the  right  motion  of  the 
heart  towards  God." 

These  were  the  sentiments  which  influenced 
the  temper  and  deportment  of  our  departed 
friend.  He  experienced  and  practised  Chris- 
tian temperance  and  sobriety,  habitually  watch- 
ing  the  workings  of  human  nature  in  the  will 
and  affections;  he  denied  himself  of  every  plea- 
sure and  every  gratification  which,  however 
innocent  in  itself,  did  not  lead  to  the  glory  of 
God  and  the  fartherance  of  grace  in  his  soul. 
Hence  he  obtained  government  over  the  body, 
making  it  subservient  to  the  true  purposes  for 
which  it  was  given,  to  help,  and  not  to  hinder, 
in  the  pursuit  of  holiness  and  usefulness. 

SECT.  V. HIS    FORTITUDE,    PATIENCE,    AND 

RESIGNATION. 

"  It  was  given  him,  in  the  behalf  of  Christ, 
not  only  to  believe  on  him,  but  to  suffer  for  his 
sake."  He  was  buried  with  Christ  in  baptism, 
immersed  with  him  in  suffering.  He  partook 
largely  of  the  chastisement  in  which  all  the 
children  of  the  kingdom  have  a  share.  His 
trials  were  of  various  kinds,  and  arising  from 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  163 

different  quarters  :  sometimes  they  were  pecu- 
liarly severe,  or  were  of  long  continuance,  and 
they  were  repeatedly  near  to  the  threshold  of 
heaven.  He  was  grieved  by  the  mistaken 
viev.s,  and  by  the  consequently  mistaken  re- 
presentations, of  some  of  his  brethren  :  some- 
times he  suffered  from  the  secret  disaffection 
of  professed  friends,  or  the  open  hatred  of  avow- 
ed enemies.  He  was  tried  by  the  forgetfulness 
and  ingratitude  of  those  who  had  received  his 
cordial  and  salutary  support  in  time  of  their 
extremity ;  he  suffered  greatly  for  the  last  fif- 
teen years  of  his  liie  from  bodily  affliction, 
and  he  mourned  that  he  did  not  live  to  see  the 
desire  of  his  heart  in  the  conversion  of  all  his 
children. 

Perhaps  the  character  of  our  departed  friend 
was  never  so  unfolded,  nor  shone  so  luminously, 
as  in  severe  trials.  Like  the  arch  of  a  bridge, 
of  which  the  keystone  was  Christian  fortitude, 
the  greater  the  weight  that  was  laid  upon  him, 
the  tirmer  was  the  stand  he  made  beneath  it. 
No  obstacle  or  opposition,  however  apparently 
insurmountable,  could  discourage  him,  but  stea< 
dily  persevering,  in  spite  of  every  difficulty, 
he  laboured  to  have  "  always  a  conscience  void 
of  offence  toward  God  and  toward  man."  His 
love  of  truth  led  him  to  maintain  it,  were  it 
even  at  the  expense  of  the  loss  of  dearest 
friends ;  but,  though  all  men  forsook  him,  he 
stood  as  an  iron  pillar,  strong,  immoveable,  and 
undismayed !  He  never  was  known  to  repine 
under  reproaches  of  malice,  and  he  received 


164  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

without  resentment  the  shafts  of  ingratitude. 
He  would  often  say,  on  occasions  like  these, 
"  The  purity  of  my  intention  and  the  rectitude 
of  my  conduct  will  be  known  by  the  holiness 
of  my  lite — this  is  my  best  defence  :  I  can  live 
away  these  reproaches." 

A  person  came  to  him  one  day,  and  said, 
"  ^Ir.  Longden,  I  have  something  against  you, 
and  I  am  come  to  tell  you  of  it."  "  Do  walk 
in,  sir,"  he  replied  "  you  are  my  best  friend : 
if  I  can  but  engage  my  friends  to  be  faithtul 
with  me,  I  shall  be  sure  to  prosper  :  but,  if  you 
please,  we  will  both  pray  in  the  first  place,  and 
ask  the  blessing  of  God  upon  our  interview." 
After  they  rose  from  their  knees,  and  had  been 
much  blessed  together,  he  said,  "  Now  I  will 
thank  you,  my  brother,  to  tell  me  what  it  is 
that  you  have  against  me?"  "  O,"  said  the 
man,  "  I  really  don't  knov/  what  it  is, — it  is 
all  gone,  and  I  believe  I  was  in  the  wrong." 
One  of  his  iViends,  also,  who  called  to  see  him 
in  his  last  illness,  said  to  him,  "  Brother  Long- 
den, I  never  heard  you  preach,  nor  was  I  ever 
in  your  company,  but  if,  through  evil  report, 
at  first,  I  was  prejudiced  against  you,  before  I 
left  you  all  my  prejudice  was  gone  ;  there  was 
such  a  spirit  of  love  and  zeal  displayed,  and  the 
unction  of  the  Holy  One  so  accompanied  every 
word,  that  I  was  again  sweetly  united  to  you ; 
for  I  felt  that  God  was  with  you."  These  are 
not  the  only  instances  wherein  the  errors  of 
his  brethren  have  been  thus  acknowledged  by 
themselves. 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  165 

What  he  so  confidently  affirmed  above,  he 
lived  to  realize.  While  his  enemies  were 
silenced  by  the  uprightness  of  his  conduct, 
his  friends  were  restored  to  him.  Their  for- 
mer intercourse,  which  had  been  suspended  by 
a  difference  of  opinion,  was  renewed  with  re- 
doubled ardour  :  and  when  they  visited  him  in 
his  last  affliction,  the  purport  of  their  affec- 
tionate expressions  was,  "  1  am  distressed  be- 
fore thee,  my  brother  :  very  pleasant  hast  thou 
been  to  me :  thy  love  to  me  was  wonderful  ! 
O  that  we  might  not  be  divided  in  death : 
give  us  one  grave,  that  we  may  be  buried 
together !" 

His  fortitude  was  not  the  result  of  stoical 
apathy,  or  of  self-wrought  firmness;  it  was  a 
Christian  principle,  accompanied  by  those  two 
sister  graces,  patience  and  resijrnation.  These 
recognise  the  appointment  of  God  in  all  things, 
and  wait  the  accomplishment  of  his  gracious 
purposes,  being  assured  that  "  all  things  work, 
together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God."  In 
languor,  in  restlessness,  and  in  strong  pain,  his 
attention  was  fixed  upon  the  High  Priest  of 
our  profession,  who  was  perfected  through  suf- 
fering. He  could  say,  "  Jesus  suffered  tribu- 
lation in  every  possible  form  and  extent  with 
which  human  nature  could  be  assailed,  and  no 
evil  temper  ruffled  his  breast,  no  bitter  word 
escaped  his  lips  ;  and  he  suffered  not  for  him- 
self, being  innocent.  Shall  a  living  man,  (a 
sinner  out  of  hell,)  therefore,  complain,  a  man 
for  the  punishment  of  his  sins  ?  Shall  a  child  of 


166  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

God  complain  to  receive  that  from  his  heavenly 
Father  which  is  a  sure  token  of  his  regard  ? 
Shall  a  saint  of  the  Most  High  complain  at  that 
which  matures  his  grace,  and  increases  his 
glory  to  all  eternity  ?"  Imbued  with  these 
sentiments,  he  did  not  reckon  the  sutfering  of 
the  present  life  a  subject  of  lamentation,  but 
of  rejoicing.  And  he  endured  with  silent  meek- 
ness the  evils  which  befell  him,  and  evermore 
after  their  removal  ascribed  his  support  under 
them,  and  deliverance  from  them,  to  God,  who 
alone  is  able  to  save.     • 

Let  us  again  attend  to  his  own  language,  as 
extracted  from  his  letters  : — 

March,  1799.  "  One  of  the  highest  and  most 
acceptable  services  we  can  offer  to  God,  is,  to 
suffer  with  perfect  patience  all  his  will.  It  is 
an  offering  of  which  angjels  and  disembodied 
spirits  are  incapable  ;  they  perform  the  will  of 
their  Father  with  indescribable  cheerfulness 
and  intense  zeal ;  but,  blessed  be  God,  we  can 
suffer,  as  well  as  do,  the  will  of  our  heavenly 
Father.  I  find  an  increasing  sweet  resignation 
to  his  divine  will.  I  am  enabled  to  sit,  and 
sweat,  and  smile,  under  pain  of  body,  saying, 
Glory  glory,  glory  !" 

"  The  Lord  sees  good  to  try  me  closely,  but 
he  graciously  supports  a  poor  worm.  I  find  it 
glorious  to  believe  when  I  cannot  see  his  smil- 
ing face,  nor  feel  his  burning  love.  I  trust  the 
Lord  for  all  I  want,  relying  upon  his  faithful- 
ness, and  casting  myself  upon  his  mercy.  I 
have  witnessed  in  ten  thousand  instances  of 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  167 

my  experience,  that  God  is  faithful,  that  his 
promise  will  not — cannot  fail." 

August,  1801.  "I  have  experienced  some 
particular  trials  lately  from  professed  friends, 
but  it  is  sufficient  that  Jesus  gives  an  approv- 
ing smile,  and  says,  '  Well  done.'  If  the  tes- 
timony of  man  is  great,  the  testimony  of  God 
is  greater.  He  enables  me  to  shout  salvation 
and  victory,  perfecting  strength  in  weakness." 

SECT.    VI. HIS   CHARACTER   AS   A   PREACHER. 

The  apostle's  account  of  his  own  commission 
by  Jesus  Christ,  to  preach  the  everlasting  gos- 
pel, is  doubtless  an  epitome  of  every  successive 
appointment  to  that  great  work  to  the  end  of 
time.  "  I  have  appeared  unto  thee  for  this  pur- 
pose, to  make  thee  a  minister  and  a  witness 
both  of  these  things  which  thou  hast  seen,  and 
of  those  things  in  the  which  I  will  appear 
unto  thee;  delivering  thee  from  the  people 
and  from  the  Gentiles,  unto  whom  I  now  send 
thee,  to  open  their  eyes,  and  to  turn  them  from 
darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan 
unto  God,  that  they  may  receive  forgiveness 
of  sins,  and  inheritance  among  them  which 
are  sanctified  by  faith  that  is  in  me."  It  is 
evident,  before  we  can  receive  the  inherit- 
ance of  the  sanctified  by  faith  in  Christ,  we 
must  receive  the  forgiveness  of  sins  ;  and  be- 
fore we  can  be  pardoned  we  must  be  turned 
from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God  :  and  before 
our  consciences  can  be  awakened  by  the  power 
of  God,  the  eyes  of  our  understanding  must  be 


168  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

opened  ;  and  as  divine  illumination  is  neces- 
sary to  divine  attainment,  Mr.  Longden  con- 
sidered the  pulpit  as  misemployed,  if  it  were 
not  always  made  the  medium  ot'  instruction. 

That  he  might  be  an  able  minister  of  Jesus 
Christ,  he  deeply  studied  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
acquainted  himself  also  with  the  comments  of 
the  best  critical,  experimental,  and  practical 
divines  :  but  although  he  deemed  a  literal  ex- 
plication of  Scripture  to  be  important  for  the 
purpose  of  rendering  divine  truth  clear  and 
luminous,  yet  he  did  not  consider  it  the  most 
essential  thing  to  occupy  a  preacher's  attert- 
tion.  When  a  man  is  sent  of  God  as  an  am- 
bassador of  Christ,  to  evangelize  his  fellow 
sinners,  after  their  understanding  is  enlightened, 
he  has  to  labour  with  the  perversenessof  the  will 
— to  conquer  it  ;  the  enmity  of  the  carnal 
mind — to  remove  it ;  the  power  of  habitual  sin 
— to  break  it ;  and  the  tyranny  of  Satan — to 
overthrow  it.  He  has  to  lead  thera  forward 
by  repentance  towards  God,  and  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  they  may  receive  for- 
giveness of  sins,  and  inheritance  among  the 
sanctified.  This  was  Henry  Longden's  con- 
stant aim  and  labour. 

In  the  pulpit,  persuasion  sat  upon  his  lips, 
and  his  mouth  was  filled  with  convincing  argu- 
ments. He  set  before  the  sinner  his  danger, 
and  the  magnitude  of  his  sin  ;  and  the  most 
obdurate  were  oftentimes  arrested  by  the  power 
of  God,  and,  through  disquietude  of  spirit,  cried, 
«  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved?"     He  pointed 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  169 

the  penitent  to  the  "  fountain  opened  in  the 
house  of  David  for  sin  and  uncleanness  ;" 
and  God  gave  him  a  fluency  of  speech  when 
addressing  those  who  were  prepared  for  the 
kingdom.  Jesus  was  his  favourite  theme.  He 
would  dwell  with  pathos  upon  Christ  in  his  sa- 
crificial character,  as  an  able,  willing,  suitable, 
and  present  Saviour  ;  he  would  cry,  "  Let  him 
that  is  athirst  come,  and  whosoever  will,  let  him 
take  of  the  water  of  life  freely."  Nor  was  he 
less  noted  for  insisting  upon  entire  sanctifica- 
tion,  as  the  privilege  of  all  believers.  In  his 
own  manuscripts  he  says,  "  I  have  ever  found 
it  incumbent  upon  me,  not  only  to  preach  a 
present,  but  a  full  salvation."  And  the  church 
was  edified  and  built  up,  according  to  the  ana- 
logy of  faith. 

His  whole  soul  was  engaged  in  this  moment- 
ous work.  The  ardour  of  his  zeal,  upon  some 
occasions,  appeared  as  if  it  would  consume  his 
body,  and  he  would  forego  every  personal  con- 
sideration, if  he  could  by  holy  importunity  be 
instrumental  in  the  salvation  of  souls.  He  often 
wept  in  the  pulpit,  and,  by  his  t'ears  powerfully 
evincing  how  much  his  heart  was  affected 
by  his  work,  contributed  to  enforce  his  words 
upon  the  hearts  of  his  hearers  ;  hence  it  was 
not  unusual  to  see  saints  and  sinners  weeping 
in  every  part  of  the  chapel.  A  lady  of  literary 
eminence  said  to  me  one  day,  "  Whenever  I 
hear  Mr.  Longden  preach,  I  always  weep,  either 
in  abhorrence  of  myself,  or  love  and  gratitude 
to  the  Saviour :  every  word  is  as  a  live  coal 


170  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

from  the  altar,  and  there  is  a  something  in  his 
preaching  which  I  never  felt  while  hearing  any- 
other  man." 

In  addition  to  his  spirit  of  zeal  and  power 
in  delivering  Scripture  truth  and  doctrine,  we 
must  notice  his  remarkable  simplicity.  After 
thirty  years'  experience  as  a  preacher,  and  ob- 
servation as  a  hearer,  he  made  no  alteration  in 
his  mode  of  preaching.  He  was  happy  in  his 
choice  of  texts  ;  and  being  persuaded  that  sim- 
plicity of  arrangement  is  most  apostolical,  and 
that  every  part  of  a  discourse  should  tend  to 
one  or  two  leading  impressions,  or  evangelical 
purposes,  he  reprobated,  both  in  opinion  and 
practice,  the  artificial  plan  of  sermon-framing, 
replete  with  heads  and  propositions,  as  calcu- 
lated to  fix  the  whole  attention  of  the  hearers 
upon  the  preacher,  while  the  hungry  soul  is  left 
to  starve.  He  therefore  studiously  avoided 
every  human  embellishment,  fearing  lest  an  at- 
tempt to  please  the  imagination  might  prove  to 
be  at  the  expense  of  an  immortal  soul.  He  ad- 
dressed the  understanding  and  the  conscience, 
keeping  in  view  the  adage  of  the  good  Puritan, 
"  Aim  at  the  fifth  button  !" 

He  was  also  increasingly  confirmed  in  his 
opinion,  that  simplicity  of  spirit  has  an  un- 
equalled effect  in  making  way  to  the  con- 
science, and  in  winning  the  heart  to  the  cause 
of  Jesus  Christ.  A  simplicity  this,  as  remote 
from  every  thing  mean  and  vulgar  as  from 
bombast  and  parade  ;  as  distant  from  false  fire 
as  from  the  empty  form  without  the  power  of 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  171 

godliness,  and  which  was  so  peculiarly  exem- 
plified in  the  ministrations  of  our  Lord. 

With  relation  to  his  preparations  for  his  pub- 
lie  exercises,  he  has  been  heard  to  say,  "  I  study 
and  prepare  for  the  pulpit  as  if  there  were  no 
Holy  Ghost  to  help  me  there  ;  and  when  I  en- 
ter upon  my  public  work,  I  cast  my  preparation 
at  the  feet  of  Jesus  Christ,  depending  upon  di- 
vine influence  as  much  as  if  I  had  not  premedi- 
tated." Thus,  possessing  a  penetrating  mind, 
a  vigorous  understanding,  and  a  deep  experience 
of  the  things  of  God,  endued  also  with  that  unc- 
tion of  the  Holy  One  which  alone  can  conse- 
crate to  him  the  talents  of  his  creatures,  our 
much  lamented  friend  laboured  in  the  vineyard 
with  abundant  success.  In  various  parts  of  the 
kingdom,  seals  were  given  him  to  his  minis- 
try ;  and  in  his  regular  appointments,  in  the 
Sheffield  circuit,  the  people  received  him  as  a 
servant  of  God,  eminently  favoured  of  his 
Lord. 

SECT.    VII. HIS   CHARACTER    AS   A  LEADER. 

We  have  seen  with  what  conscientious  de- 
liberation he  entered  upon  the  office  of  a  class- 
leader,  and  how  minutely  and  extensively  he  en- 
gaged  in  its  duties  ,  we  do  not,  therefore,  won- 
der that  in  this  department  of  Methodist  dis- 
cipline he  was  pre-eminently  useful.  He  stu- 
died the  example  of  Christ  with  close  attention, 
in  order  that  he  might  uniformly  tread  in  his 
steps  ;  and  that,  imitating  it  in  all  things,  he 
might  not  only  evidence  the  genuineness  of  his 


172  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN, 

profession,  but  be  also  the  pattern  as  well  as 
the  leader  of  his  people. 

He  was  an  affectionate  shepherd  of  his  flock. 
Every  individual  lived  in  his  heart :  he  prayed 
to  God  for  them  daily  ;  he  sought  the  wan- 
derers with  affectionate  solicitude,  and  the  sick 
and  the  dying  he  conducted  to  the  verge  of 
heaven. 

Being  well  acquainted  with  the  devices  of 
Satan,  and  the  workings  of  the  human  heart,  it 
was  in  vain  for  the  members  of  his  classes  to 
attempt  to  deceive  him  by  the  commonplace 
expressions  of  good  desires,  &c.,  &c.,  by  which 
too  many  who  have  declined  into  Laodicean 
indifference  strive  to  conceal  their  departure 
from  God.  Such  v/ere  always  detected,  and 
were  dealt  M'ith  in  the  plainest  manner.  He 
was  careful  not  to  heal  before  the  wound  was 
probed  to  the  bottom,  however  painful  min^ht 
be  the  operation  to  his  own  feelings  ;  and  he 
dared  not  to  admit  the  testimony  of  peace, 
without  due  evidence  that  God  had  spoken 
peace.  Truly  he  led  his  flock,  like  a  judicious 
shepherd,  to  green  pastures  ;  and  it  was  a  feast 
indeed  to  meet  with  his  people,  to  hear  his  own 
experience,  and  to  listen  to  his  wise  and  perti- 
nent remarks  on  each  respective  case.  Nor  is 
it  to  be  wondered  at,  that  many  of  his  class 
members  have  become  eminently  holy  and 
useful,  both  as  preachers  and  as  leaders,  and 
bless  the  day  that  ever  he  became  known  to 
them. 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  173 

SECT.   VIII. HIS  CHARACTER  AS    A   HUSBAND 

AND  A   PARENT. 

He  saw  and  ever  acknowledged  the  special 
interposition  of  a  good  providence  in  the  choice 
of  his  wife.  This  conviction,  in  addition  to 
her  real  excellence  and  exemplary  deportment 
as  a  wife  and  a  mother,  was  a  firm  basis  on 
which  to  found  that  spiritual  and  matrimonial 
love  which  composes  all  controversies,  makes 
all  things  easy,  and  sweetens  every  state. 

He  was  truly  an  affectionate  husband.  He 
manifested  his  love  not  so  much  by  words  as 
actions,  viz.,  by  an  habitual  attention  to  his 
partner's  health  of  body,  and  domestic  comfort, 
and  especially  by,a  serious  care  for  the  salva- 
tion of  her  soul :  in  this  respect,  he  was  a  help- 
meet indeed,  labouring  in  every  possible  way 
for  her  prosperity  in  divine  things,  even  as 
for  his  own  soul.  Upon  one  occasion  he  said, 
what  his  conduct  always  had  corroborated, 
"  Thou  art  dearer  to  me  than  all  my  children." 
In  every  affliction  he  solaced  her  by  his  tender- 
ness, telling  her  the  sincere  have  nothing  to 
fear,  but  every  thing  to  expect,  from  a  faithful 
Creator,  and  a  compassionate  High  Priest  ; 
and,  thus  encouraged,  she  dared  to  believe, 
and  felt  that  inward  calm  which  the  experience 
of  religion  inspires,  and  enjoyed  those  prospects 
into  a  brighter  and  a  better  world  with  which 
true  believers  alone  are  favoured. 

The  mode  of  education  which  Mr.  Longden 
adopted,  differed  in  some  minor  particulars  at 
different  periods;    but  in   the  grand  leading 


174  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

principles  he  never  varied  or  relaxed, — no,  not 
even  for  a  day.  He  looked  upon  children  in 
general,  and  his  own  in  particular,  with  lively 
interest ;  and  as  his  own  parents  had  griev- 
ously erred  in  the  management  of  himself,  in 
childhood,  he  resolved  what  course  to  take 
when  children  were  intrusted  to  him.  At 
first,  indeed,  believing  that  "just  as  the  twig 
is  bent,  the  tree's  inclined,"  he  was  disposed 
to  censure  warmly  all  religious  parents,  with- 
out exception,  whose  cliildren  were  refractory  ; 
but  he  was  soon  taught  by  sad  experience  to 
be  more  restricted  in  his  expectations,  with 
respect  to  both  himself  and  others.  On  his 
dying  bed  he  said  to  a  young  friend,  "  How- 
ever lovely  your  children  may  now  appear  in 
their  infancy,  do  not  expect  too  much  from 
them  :  use  every  possible  means  to  ^  train  them 
up  in  the  way  in  which  they  should  go,'  and 
leave  the  event  to  God,  who  alone  can  save 
them." 

He  viewed  children  as  fallen  creatures,  who 
have  before  them  an  eternal  existence,  which 
must  be  an  everlasting  curse  or  blessing ;  and 
who,  therefore,  in  addition  to  the  education 
which  they  need  to  fit  them  for  members  of 
civil  society,  require,  also,  and  in  an  essential 
manner,  to  be  instructed  in  the  doctrines  of 
Christianity,  and  in  the  ways  of  righteousness. 

He  considered  the  first  object  of  youthful 
instruction  to  be  obedience.  By  the  fond  in- 
dulgence which  his  parents  had  exercised  to- 
wards him  in  his  childhood,  he  had  found  it 


LIFE   OF    LONGDEN.  175 

difficult  in  after  life  to  gain  a  complete  conquest 
over  himself;  he  resolved,  therefore,  to  do  his 
utmost  to  extirpate  self-will  and  stubbornness 
in  his  children  by  the  restraints  of  authority. 
None  of  them,  after  the  age  of  twelve  months, 
were  suffered  to  indulge  in  childish  pets,  cry- 
ing for  any  thing  that  was  forbidden  :  by  a 
word  of  rebuke,  he  would  silence  them  in- 
stantly. 

After  he  had  taught  his  children  implicit 
obedience  to  their  parents,  without  reference 
to  reward,  he  next  instructed  them  in  the  na- 
ture of  filial  obligation  and  gratitude. 

Having  laid  down  this  foundation,  at  the  age 
of  five  he  began,  in  the  most  simple  terms,  to 
speak  of.God  the  creator,  preserver,  and  go- 
vernor of  the  world :  that  he  is  everywhere, 
that  he  sees  and  knows  every  thing,  that  he  is 
powerful,  and  can  do  whatever  he  will,  and 
that  every  creature  constantly  depends  upon 
his  care. 

At  the  age  of  seven,  he  taught  the  nature  of 
moral  obligation  : — First,  with  regard  to  God, 
and  as  implying  reference  of  his  greatness, 
gratitude  for  his  bounties,  obedience  to  his 
commandments,  and  a  love  to  our  great  Parent, 
and  a  reliance  on  our  best  Benefactor,  expressed 
in  the  important  duty  and  privilege  of  prayer. 
Secondly,  with  regard  to  our  fellow-creatures, 
and  as  consisting  of  subjection  and  respect  to 
our  superiors,  condescension  to  our  inferiors, 
and  civility  to  all :  an  abhorrence  of  falsehood, 
and  constant  adherence  to  truth. 


176  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

After  laying  this  foundation,  he  put  into  their 
hands  the  sacred  volume.  He  would  explain 
the  nature  of  our  moral  depravity  ;  our  actual 
sin,  with  many  of  its  aggravations  ;  our  total 
helplessness  and  insufficiency  to  save  ourselves, 
and  the  everlasting  punishment  which  is  pre- 
pared for  the  wicked.  He  would  then  unfold 
the  plan  of  our  recovery  and  salvation  by  Jesus 
Christ ;  he  would  point  out  his  holy  life  as  our 
great  example,  and  his  meritorious  death  and 
powerful  intercession  as  the  only  means  where- 
by we  could  obtain  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins, 
and  the  eternal  rewards  of  the  righteous.  These 
instructions  were  accompanied  with  fervent 
prayer  to  God  to  bless  this  early  seed,  to  give 
the  fruitful  shower  of  grace,  whereby  alone  the 
blade  could  spring  up,  then  the  full  ear,  then 
the  ripened  corn. 

He  was  truly  circumspect  in  his  deportment 
before  his  children ;  there  was  no  lightness  or 
jesting  on  the  one  hand,  nor  sullenness  or  mo- 
roseness  on  the  other.  His  conversation  tended 
to  edifying.  That  they  might  respect  the  peo- 
ple of  God,  he  was  careful  not  to  mention,  in 
their  hearing,  the  occasional  inconsistencies  of 
professors  ;  that  they  might  love  religion,  they 
beheld  him  happy  in  the  experience  and  enjoy- 
ment of  it,  and  he  habituated  them  to  the  prac- 
tice of  the  observances  of  religion,  by  his  regu- 
lar performance  of  family  prayer  and  attend- 
ance upon  every  Christian  ordinance. 

That  his  instructions  might  not  merely  be 
adventitious,  and  to  avoid  giving  reproof  the 


LIFE   OF   LONfiDEN.  177 

moment  it  was  deserved,  he  met  his  family  sta- 
tedly once  a  week,  in  the  form  of  a  class-meet- 
ing.  His  affectionate  and  deep  concern  for 
every  individual,  manifested  by  his  gentle  re- 
proofs, his  kind  admonitions,  and  apposite  in- 
structions, will,  we  trust,  be  ever  kept  in  view 
as  maxims  and  principles  of  conduct  by  them 
through  life.  Like  the  patriarch  of  his  family, 
he  taught  the  law  of  God  and  the  way  of  sal- 
vation. 

He  abhorred  the  foolish  practice  of  some 
who  suspend  all  correction  "  till,"  as  they  say, 
*'  the  book  is  full ;"  and  then,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  passion,  beat  their  children  most  unraer- 
cifully.  He  had  recourse,  it  is  true,  to  coer- 
cive measures,  yet  always  with  regret,  and  not 
even  v.hen  most  needful  until  he  had  kneeled 
down  to  implore  the  blessing  of  God  upon  the 
correction  he  was  about  to  inflict.  But  it  must 
be  acknowledged  that  he  lived  to  mature  his 
plans  and  mode  of  education,  however  at  first 
formed  and  acted  upon  with  the  purest  inten- 
tions :  for  he  saw  that  other  and  more  power- 
ful motives  than  merely  those  of  authority  and 
obedience  might  be  used,  after  the  years  of  in- 
fancy, in  order  to  prevail  with  children  to  apply 
with  diligence  and  cheerfulness  to  any  appoint- 
ed task  or  duty.  To  rectify  the  error  into 
which  his  parents  had  fallen,  he  ran,  perhaps, 
at  first,  into  the  opposite  extreme,  viz.,  too  fre- 
quent and  severe  correction  ;  he  was,  however, 
latterly  more  lenient,  though  equally  firm  :  and 
when  his  children  arrived  at  a  proper  age  he 
12 


178  LIFE   OF  LONGDEN. 

made  himself  more  familiar  with  them,  labour- 
ing to  render  the  path  of  duty  pleasant  and| 
easy.  1 

SECT.  IX. HIS  CHARACTER  AS  A  MASTER. 

We  know  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  some,  that 
if  any  degree  of  respect  be  manifested  to  infe- 
riors and  dependants  they  will  take  improper 
liberties,  remaining  no  longer  in  due  subordi- 
nation. It  is  true  that  instances  of  this  kind 
may  occur  sometimes,  and  they  must  be  dealt 
with  accordingly  ;  but  Mr.  Longden  found  that 
servants,  when  treated  as  rational  beings,  would 
then,  and  then  only,  serve  with  lidelity  and 
affection  ;  hence  he  would  reason  calmly  with 
them  when  they  had  acted  wrong  ;  and  if  they 
were  incorrigible,  he  would  discharge  them, 
without  exhibiting  an  evil  temper,  or  uttering 
an  unguarded  word.  In  general,  however,  in- 
stead of  having  to  reprove  them  for  neglect  in 
his  absence,  he  had  to  caution  them  not  to  la- 
bour beyond  their  strength,  but  to  work  one 
day  as  they  could  work  the  next.  O  how 
pleasing  to  witness  servants,  not  fearing  and 
hating,  but  reverencing  and  loving  their  mas- 
ters, "  obeying  them  in  all  things,  not  with  eye- 
service  as  men-pleasers ;"  and,  in  return,  to  see 
"  masters  doing  the  same  things  unto  them,  for- 
bearing threatening,  knowing  that  their  Master  " 
also  is  in  heaven  !" 

His  care  for  his  domestic  servants,  and  their 
manifest  affection  for  him,  were  deserving  of 
notice.     It  was   not  possible  for  any  of  them 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  179 

to  remain  in  his  house,  and  continue  ignorant 
of  their  spiritual  state.  Being  incorporated 
into  his  family,  they  were  objects  of  his  solici- 
tude and  daily  prayers,  and  a  goodly  company 
of  these  call  him  their  father  in  the  Lord.  It 
was  no  drudgery  for  them  to  wait  upon  his 
person  ;  they  were  ever  contriving  for  his  con- 
venience, and  anticipating  his  wants  ;  and  joy 
ever  beamed  in  their  countenances  when  he 
entered  his  happy  dwelling. 

SnCT.  X. HIS  CHARACTER  AS  A  BENEFACTOR. 

He  had  Scriptural  views  of  his  responsibility, 
as  the  possessor  of  earthly  property.  He  knew 
that  he  was  a  steward,  who  had  to  render  a 
strict  account  to  God  for  his  expenditure,  ex- 
tending even  to  the  least  minutia3.  He  never 
wasted  money  in  foolish  ornaments,  or  imagi- 
nary  pleasures.  His  conscience  was  tender, 
and  he  dared  not :  his  mind  was  spiritual,  and 
he  would  not  expend  in  vain  and  outward  show 
that  which  was  intrusted  to  him  for  nobler 
purposes. 

In  order  to  comply  with  that  rule,  "  Let  not 
thy  left  hand  know  what  thy  right  doeth,'* 
he  sought  the  most  secret  method  of  distribut- 
ing his  bounties.  He  had  not  only  a  list  of 
pensioners  whom  he  statedly  relieved,  but  often 
left  his  home  to  seek  out  the  abodes  of  the 
wretched ;  and  a  friend  has  declared  that  he 
had  long  a  positive  and  unlimited  commission 
from  him  to  relieve  the  necessitous  according 
to  his  own  discretion ;  and  that,  at  all  times, 


180  LIFE    OF   LOXGDEN. 

what  he  had  disbursed  was  cheerfully  refunded. 
If  the  rich  desire  the  applauses  of  men,  let  them 
publicly  scatter  their  blessings ;  but  if  they  want 
the  praise  which  cometh  from  God,  and  seek  a 
rich  reward  in  heaven,  let  them  give  in  secret, 
serving  Christ  in  his  afflicted  members,  and  he 
will  acknowledge  them  openly. 

It  is  true,  upon  pubhc  and  important  occa- 
sions, secrecy  would  have  been  a  false  humility, 
and  at  those  seasons  Mr.  Longden  stepped  for- 
ward into  view,  in  order  to  give  an  example  of 
liberality  to  others.  Witness  his  contributions 
towards  the  erection  of  our  large  and  expensive 
chapels,  Sunday  schools,  &c. 

Some  years  ago,  a  friend  v/rote  to  him,  faith- 
fully declaring  that  he  was  afraid  he  was  not 
sufficiently  liberal.  His  remarks  upon  this 
letter  in  his  journal  are  as  follows  : — I  find, 
upon  examining  my  cash  book  for  the  last  six 
months,  I  have  given  to  the  poor  exclusively 
one-seventh  part  of  my  income.  Perhaps  my 
friend  is  right ;  it  is  possible  that  I  ought  to 
give  much  more  away  than  I  do  ;  but  my  dear 
friends  do  not  know  that  I  am  prohibited  by 
our  articles  of  copartnership  from  receiving 
more  than  simple  interest  of  my  capital  in  trade. 
Add  to  this,  that  the  supplies  of  another  mer- 
cantile concern,  into  which  I  was  persuaded, 
contrary  to  my  judgment,  have  been  nearly  ten 
times  as  much  as  the  original  contract  ;  and 
these  supplies  have  been  necessarily  taken,  from 
time  to  time,  from  my  yearly  income.  None 
but  God    knows  v/hat  grief  of  mind  this  has 


LIFE   OF   LONGDEN.  181 

caused  me.  I  wish  to  give  one  half  of  my 
whole  income  to  the  necessitous.  O !  the 
blessedness  of  giving !  What  did  holy  Job 
feel  when  he  exclaimed,  '  The  blessing  of  him 
that  was  ready  to  perish  came  upon  me  V  I 
know  that  what  I  leave  behind  me  I  shall  lose 
for  ever  ;  but  that  vvhich  I  lend  to  the  Lord 
I  shall  find  again,  and  reap  the  benefit  of  it 
for  ever." 

SECT.   XI. HIS  CHARACTER  AS  A  COMrA^'ION 

AXD  IRIEIXD. 

He  was  formed  for  society,  possessing  strong 
sense,  an  enlarged  mind,  an  uncommon  flow 
of  spirits,  and  a  most  atTectionate  disposition  : 
hence  his  company  and  friendship  were  in 
extensive  request.  Nor  was  he  averse  from 
social  intercourse  ;  happy  himself,  he  loved  to 
be  surrounded  with  cheerful  countenances,  pro- 
vided only  that  the  cheerfulness  arose  from 
such  a  source  as  was  consistent  with  the  reli- 
gion of  Jesus  Christ.  He  possessed  a  fund  of 
most  interesting  anecdotes  ;  and  when  in  com- 
pany  with  a  small  number  of  friends  he  would 
open  out  his  store  in  a  manner  peculiar  to  him- 
self, and  excite  sensations  in  his  hearers  of 
delight  and  sympathy  which  it  is  impossible  to 
describe. 

In  large  and  mixed  companies  he  was  aware 
that  it  was  very  difficult  so  to  manage  the  con- 
versation as  that  it  should  not  tend  to  injury 
rather  than  to  improvement,  and  he  could  not 
endure  the  desultory  chit-chat  which  is  so  fre- 


182  LIFE    OP    LONGDEN. 

quently  introduced,  and  which  he  called  "  mur- 
dering time."  To  prevent  these  evils,  he  would 
call  forth  into  exercise  the  talents  and  graces 
of  some  of  those  present ;  or  he  would  introduce 
a  leading  topic  of  conversation,  which  would 
tend  to  general  improvement :  for  instance,  on 
such  an  occasion  he  once  proposed  the  follow- 
ing  inquiry  :  "  What  are  the  surest  evidences 
that  a  soul  is  growing  in  grace  ?"  Among  many 
other  excellent  things  which  were  said,  the  fol- 
lowing answers  are  remembered  : — 

In  a  private  Chrlsiian,  a  growing  pleasure 
in  reading  the  Scriptures — keenness  of  spirit- 
ual appetite — delight  in  prayer,  and  holy  bold- 
ness in  approaching  to  God — increasing  union 
with  God — and  power  to  conquer  sin. 

In  a  imhlic  character,  not  an  increasing  po- 
pularity, nor  even  a  progressive  usefulness ;  but 
an  increasing  discernment  in  spiritual  things — 
love  to  perishing  sinners — and  desire  to  glorify 
God.  Each  person  in  the  room,  who  felt  at 
liberty,  contributed  his  or  her  quota  :  the  in- 
terview was  concluded  with  singing  and  prayer, 
and  they  parted  glad  that  they  met  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord. 

The  name  o^ friend  was  a  sacred  character 
in  his  estimation ;  he  confidently  communed 
with  a  select  few  of  the  excellent  of  the  earth, 
by  personal  intercourse  and  regular  correspond- 
ence. With  these  he  had  no  reserve,  but  Hved 
in  habits  of  the  utmost  intimacy  and  affection. 
From  them  he  received  sympathy  in  suffering, 
and  advice  in  difhcultv  ;  while  at  the  same  time 


LIFE   OF  LONGDEN.  183 

he  increased  his  happiness  by  imparting  of  his 
own  spiritual  deUghts,  and  augmented  his 
strength    and  courage    by  declaring  his   past 

victories. 

SECT.  XII. HIS    FAILINGS, 

Much  has  been  said  in  commendation  of  the 
excellent  character  of  our  friend  ;  it  is  still  far 
from  our  design  to  paint  an  absolutely  perfect 
character.  This  we  know  was  never  found  in 
mere  humanity.  At  the  same  time  it  may  be 
safely  said  that  Henry  Longden's  defects  were  so 
few,  and  of  such  a  nature,  that  those  who  loved 
him  best  would  feel  no  pain  in  recording  them. 

His  natural  disposition  was  full  of  energy 
and  fire,  v»'hich  nothing  but  grace  could  sub- 
due ;  and  as,  before  his  conversion,  he  was  a 
champion  for  sin,  so,  after  he  was  brought  to 
<jod,  he  was  a  champion  for  righteousness ; 
and  in  both  cases  he  bore  down  all  before  him. 
It  was  very  justly  observed,  in  a  discourse  de- 
livered at  Doncaster,  on  the  occasion  of  his 
death,  by  one  who  most  sincerely  loved  him, 
that  "he  was  by  nature  a  hero,  and  had  his 
lot  been  east  on  the  quarter-deck  of  a  British 
man  of  war,  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  he  would 
have  fought  while  one  plank  would  have  held 
to  another — he  would  have  conquered  or  died. 
Something  of  this  spirit  would  at  times  appear 
in  his  official  capacities  in  the  church  or  else- 
where. Not  that  lie  gave  way  in  the  least  to 
sinful  violence  ;  but  acting  honestly  for  God, 
he  felt  it  was  his  duty  to  he  firm ;  and  firmness 


184  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

in  him  assumed  sometimes  a  character  of  harsh 
inflexibihty,  which  was  painful  to  those  who 
were  the  objects  of  it."  Perhaps  this  cannot 
be  better  ilhistrated  than  in  his  o^vn  words, 
spoken  not  many  weeks  before  his  death. 
"  Although,"  said  he,  "  I  have  not  knowingly- 
departed  from  God  in  one  instance,  since  I 
turned  to  hira  and  joined  the  Methodists ;  yet, 
if  I  had  my  life  to  respend,  I  see  many  things 
which  might  have  been  done  which  have  not 
been  done,  and  I  see  many  which  would  have 
been  better  omitted  which  have  been  done.  In 
the  official  characters  which  I  have  sustained, 
I  believe  it  has  been  sufficiently  evident  that 
I  have  always  acted  in  strict  integrity.  In  all 
my  transactions  I  loved  and  sought  plainness 
of  speech,  free  from  duplicity ;  but  in  main- 
taining this  I  have  sometimes  gone  over  the 
line  of  prudence,  by  not  paying  sufficient  atten- 
tion to  the  feelings  of  my  brethren  ;  whereas  a 
soft  word  turneth  away  wrath." 

It  has  been  asserted  that  he  was  easily  im- 
posed upon  by  those  who  made  a  fair  profession 
of  religion.  This  was  perhaps  the  case  where 
he  had  little  opportunity  of  investigation  ;  but 
though  mentioned  as  a  failing,  it  could  only 
prove  that  he  was  not  infallible ;  and  that 
he  possessed  that  charity  which  hopeth  all 
things,  atid  thinketh  or  suspecteth  no  evil. 
Happy  character,  in  which  the  search  of  can- 
did truth  can  find  so  little  imperfection  !  O 
that  all  who  bear  the  name  of  Methodists  were 
like  him ! 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  185 

SECT.  Xni. HIS  PESSON. 

This  is  in  itself  a  matter  of  little  moment ; 
yet  there  are  but  few  individuals  who  do  not 
feel  a  desire  to  know  something  of  the  appear- 
ance of  those  of  whom  they  read.  To  gratify 
this  natural  curiosity,  this  section  is  subjoined 
to  the  "  Character  of  Mr.  Longden."  He  was 
tall,  and  remarkably  well  made  ;  his  figure  was 
finely  proportioned  ;  and  though  at  one  period 
he  rather  inclined  to  corpulency,  yet,  till  he  was 
worn  away  by  illness,  he  never  lost  the  expres- 
sion of  great  muscular  strength,  combined  vvith 
great  activity.  His  complexion  v/as  fair,  and 
his  manly  countenance  was  unusually  prepos- 
sessing. Perhaps  the  natural  cast  of  his  phy- 
siognomy was  improved  by  the  inward  peace 
and  benevolence  which  ever  beamed  from  his 
eyes  ;  so  that  some  persons  who  knew  him  only 
by  report  have  melted  into  tears  as  soon  as 
they  beheld  him.  His  voice  was  a  full  bass, 
and  at  the  same  time  highly  melodious  ;  and  his 
ear  for  music  was  finely  correct.  He  dehghted 
in  singing  the  praises  of  his  Lord  ;  and  the  ef- 
fect of  his  voice  while  engaged  in  this  employ 
will  long  be  remembered  by  many.  As  a  Chris- 
tian, he  was  rarely  equalled  :  as  a  man,  few 
indeed  could  be  considered  his  superiors  :  and 
the  writer  of  a  paragraph,  who  had  not  the  hap- 
piness of  his  acquaintance  till  towards  the  de- 
cline of  his  strength,  has  no  hesitation  to  say, 
"  He  was  a  man,  take  him  for  all  in  all,  I  ne'er 
shall  look  upon  his  like  again," 


186  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

A    SU3IMARY    CHARACTER,    WRITTEN    BY    A 
FE3IALE    FRIEND. 

When  I  contemplate  the  character  of  iny 
dear  deceased  friend,  I  view  him  as  one  of  the 
tirst  order  of  beings  in  the  present  state.  Those 
who  knew  him  best,  beheld  his  excellences  as 
scarcely  tarnished  with  infirmity.  It  is  true 
he  was  exposed  to  the  envy  of  some  who  vainly 
expect  to  tind,  in  such  a  character,  almost  an 
angelic  perfection  of  knowledge  and  wisdom. 
Such  persons  do  not  discriminate  between 
Christian  character  and  human  circumstance ; 
and  attribute  moral  evil  to  the  one,  which  is 
owiug  to  the  limited  powers  of  the  other. 

In  a  review  of  the  good  qualities  of  Mr.  L. 
I  feel  a  difficulty  in  deciding  what  were  his  cha- 
racteristics. Looking  at  him  as  a  man,  Iliave 
often  adm.ired  his  strength  of  intellect,  his  ac- 
curacy  of  discernment,  and  his  firmness  in 
maintaining  what  he  believed  to  be  right.  Al- 
though some  of  his  friends  have  differed  from 
him  in  opinion  on  various  subjects,  yet  I  have 
not  known  the  exception  of  one  instance  where 
his  plans  and  treatment  have  not  ultimately 
proved  the  best. 

As  a  friend,  he  has  been  rarely  equalled. 
With  what  pleasure  have  I  beheld  his  open- 
ness of  disposition,  his  uniform  cheerfulness, 
and  his  fer\  id  affection.  AW  whom  he  knew 
and  approved  had  access  to  his  heart,  and  they 
might  claim  all  the  advantages  of  a  friend  in 
need. 


LIFE    OF    LOxNGDEN.  1S7 

As  a  Christian,  I  knew  him  best.  I  know 
he  entertained  such  views  of  hiniself  as  only 
grace  can  give.  While  he  appeared  to  me  all 
diligence,  fervour,  and  perseverance,  I  have 
heard  him  lament  his  coldness  and  little  esti- 
mation of  eternal  things.  When  first  I  be- 
came acquainted  with  him,  I  was  but  beginning 
to  knovv-  myself;  and  there  appeared  so  unac- 
countable a  difference  between  his  public  la- 
bours and  his  humihating  views  of  himself  as 
excited  a  surprise,  and  almost  a  doubt,  how  one 
so  warm  and  fervent  could  complain  of  such 
coldness  and  insensibility.  But  when  I  learned 
that  it  is  one  chief  design  and  effect  of  grace 
to  make  us  nothing  in  our  own  view,  the  doubt 
was  solved. 

With  such  views  of  himself  were  connected 
an  actual  application  to  Christ  as  a  present 
Saviour,  and  exercise  of  powerful  faith  in  the 
promises  for  all  the  salvation  of  the  gospel. 
With  the  humble  confidence  of  a  child,  he  would 
plead  for  the  bread  of  God,  for  himself  and 
others  ;  and  he  found  all  the  promises  yea  and 
amen  in  Christ  Jesus. 

As  a  public  character,  I  never  knew  a  person 
so  invariably  ready  to  act  for  God  as  Mr.  Long- 
den.  He  sought  opportunities  of  usefulness  in 
every  place  and  company.  As  distant  from 
ignorant  forwardness  as  from  cold  inaction, 
his  zeal  v/as  happily  blended  with  humility. 

Connected  with  this  was  his  feeling  for  the 
church.  Though  I  considered  him  as  a  man 
acquainted  with  griefs,  yet  I  know  that  he  found 


188  LIFE    OP   LONGDEN. 

his  chief  joy,  or  greatest  sorrow,  according  to 
the  prosperous  or  drooping  state  of  his  church. 
In  the  former,  how  greatly  he  rejoiced  !  in  the 
latter,  how  much  he  mourned  ! 

In  health  he  acted  for  God,  and  in  affliction 
he  no  less  submitted  to  his  will.  So  that  if 
we  select  his  chief  characteristics,  we  must 
point  out — in  health,  a  holy  zeal  and  courage, 
mixed  v/ith  a  due  proportion  of  knowledge  and 
love ;  and  in  affliction,  a  holy  cheerfulness 
under  suffering,  and  a  sweet  resignation  to  the 
bitter  cup.  I  have  witnessed  his  love  to  God 
in  both  these  circumstances.  I  have  heard 
him  with  much  fervour  (but  with  entire  sub- 
mission) ask  the  Lord  for  health,  that  he  might 
devote  it  to  him  ;  and  I  have  seen  him  in  bo- 
dily affliction  and  sore  trial  feel  as  a  man,  yet 
triumph  as  a  Christian  ;  suffering  with  his 
dear  Lord,  that  he  might  reign  with  him  to 
endless  day 


CHAPTER  YII. 

His  last  Sickness  and  Death. 

In  the  summer  of  1811,  a  little  before  the 
Sheffield  conference,  Mr.  Longden  was  ap- 
pointed to  preach  at  Handsworth  Woodhouse. 
On  that  day  he  delivered  an  impressive  dis- 
course from  Rev.  xxii,  17,  "  The  Spirit  and 
the  bride  say.  Come.  And  let  him  that  hear- 
eth  sav,   Come.     And  let   him  that  is  athirst 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  189 

come.  And  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the 
water  of  life  freely.'*  This  was  his  last  and 
farev/ell  sermon,  and  it  was  delivered  as  though 
he  had  known  that  his  departure  was  at  hand. 

When  he  returned  home  in  the  evening,  he 
found  he  had  taken  a  violent  cold.  The  usual 
methods  of  relief  were  resorted  to  without  suc- 
cess. His  cough  was  so  obstinate  and  deep- 
rooted  that  nothing  could  remove  it,  and  what- 
ever was  administered  only  served  as  a  pallia- 
tive. Many  of  his  old  friends  among  the  preach- 
ers, who  saw  him  at  the  conference,  were  much 
affected  with  his  appearance  :  he  v/as  so  altered 
by  affliction,  that  some  of  them  did  not  know 
him  ;  and  all  agreed  in  the  belief  that  the  Lord 
was  about  to  call  his  servant  home. 

It  was  recommended  to  him  by  the  faculty 
to  breathe  the  sea  air,  as  the  most  probable 
means  of  removing  his  cough,  and  of  invigo- 
rating his  strength.  As  soon  as  the  confer- 
ence was  concluded,  his  wife  and  daughter  re- 
paired with  him  to  Scarborough,  a  place  which 
he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  visiting  annually, 
and  which  was  endeared  to  him  by  the  aifection 
of  many  of  its  pious  inhabitants.  "  This  jour- 
ney," he  said,  "  v/ill,  under  God,  either  restore 
me  to  health,  or  serve  to  convince  me  that  this 
affliction  is  unto  death." 

The  fatigue  of  a  journey  of  near  one  hundred 
miles  was  too  much  for  his  exhausted  strength, 
and  he  was  certainly  injured  by  it.  Soon  after 
his  arrival,  a  medical  gentleman  recommended 
to  him  the  use  of  a  v/arm  shower  bath.     The 


190  LIFE   OF  LONGDE?T. 

shock  quite  overpowered  his  sinking  frame, 
and,  if  possible,  fastened  his  cough  more  firmly 
than  before.  He  now  became  so  ill  that  it 
was  thought  he  could  not  survive  many  days. 
But  "  God,  who  comforts  the  distressed,"  dis- 
appointed  the  awakened  fears  of  his  surround- 
ing relatives  and  friends.  He  again  revived, 
and  at  length  was  able  to  take  a  little  exercise, 
by  riding  upon  the  sands,  and  once  more  flat- 
tering hopes  were  entertained  that  he  might  be 
raised  up,  and  spared  for  a  season. 

After  spending  a  few  weeks  in  this  manner, 
the  cold  u^inds  and  rainy  weather  set  in,  and 
it  was  necessary  to  depart.  Much  was  to  be 
apprehended  from  the  journey.  He,  however, 
reached  York,  tolerably  well,  the  first  night. 
A  number  of  his  select  friends,  who  breakfasted 
with  him  the  next  mornino;  at  Mr.  Anar's,  will 
not  soon  forget  that  memorable  interview ! 
Conscious  that  he  should  see  them  no  more  in 
the  body,  he  exerted  himself  far  beyond  his 
strength,  and  quite  unfitted  himself  for  the  la- 
bour of  that  day's  journey. 

He  reached  home  weaker  than  he  left  it,  fully 
convinced  that  God  had  marked  him  for  the 
eternal  world  ;  and  although  a  decline  of  nature 
is  sometim.es  attended  with  flattering  symp- 
toms, yet  he  was  seldom,  if  ever,  driven  from 
this  belief.  He  saw  the  last  enemy  approach, 
and  began  to  meditate  anew  on  the  combat  in 
which  he  must  fall,  and  on  the  combatant  whom 
he  knew  he  should  nevertheless  conqiier.  A 
due  preparation  for  death  was  not,  however,  a 


LIFE   OP  LONGDEN.  191 

work  then  for  the  first  time  begun.  It  had 
been  his  chief  business  for  many  years  to  be- 
come fully  ready  for  this  awful  period.  He 
saw  it  an  important  thing  to  die,  and  to  enter 
into  a  new  state  of  existence ;  and  such  were 
now  his  views  of  the  last  momentous  work  of 
dying,  that  he  said,  "  We  sometimes  talk  off  the 
book,  in  health,  when  we  speak  of  death." 

It  was  in  the  beginning  of  November,  1811, 
after  his  return  from  Scarborough,  that  his  fa- 
mily  were  at  length  convinced  of  his  approach- 
ing dissolution. 

A  few  extracts  from  the  diary  of  an  eye- 
witness,  which  was  written  during  this  trying 
and  afflictive  season,  will  be  read  with  interest 
by  the  lovers  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  they 
exemplify  the  power  of  religion  in  the  Chris. 
tian's  patience,  resignation,  and  fortitude  in 
afHiction,  and  his  final  triumph  over  death. 

AN  ACCOUNT  OF  HIS  SAYINGS,   ETC.    DURING  UIS 
LAST  AFFLICTION. 

"  I  think  that  in  heaven  they  lay  a  particu- 
lar emphasis  upon  ^Worthy  is  the  Lamb!'  " 

"  On  earth  the  servants  of  God  have  few 
days,  and  they  are  full  of  trouble.  Heaven  is 
the  reversion  of  earth  :  its  inhabitants  have 
fulness  of  joy,  and  pleasures  for  evermore." 

To  two  brethren  out  of  the  country  he  said, 
"  I  can  testify  the  faithfulness  of  God.  He 
comes  nearer  and  nearer  to  me  in  my  afflic- 
tion. The  Lord  is  so  far  from  leaving  me  to 
myself,   that   he   puts  underneath  and  around 


193  LIFE   OF   LONODE>T. 

about  me  his  everlasting  arms  :  when  troubles 
abound  my  consolations  abound.  The  founda- 
tion upon  which  I  have  built  is  indissolubly 
sure  :  the  promises  are  not  yea  and  nay,  but 
all  yea  and  amen,  in  Christ  Jesus." 

"  I  renounce  my  labour  for  Christ  and  his 
church,  as  very  imperfect  and  full  of  infirmi- 
ties.  I  have  been  an  unprofitable  servant.  I 
rest  my  all  upon  the  boundless  mercy  of  God, 
and  the  infinite  merits  of  Jesus  Christ.  This 
stone  is  tried,  elect,  and  precious  indeed  to  my 
soul.  How  I  pit}^  sinners  without  God,  in  dy- 
ing circumstances !  V/hat  could  I  now  do 
without  Christ,  much  less  to  have  God  for  my 
enemy  ?  The  blood  of  Christ  can  make  the 
foulest  clean — his  blood  avails  for  m.e  !  Glory 
be  to  God  in  the  highest !" 

At  another  time,  conversing  Avith  some 
friends,  he  said,  "  A  few  more  struggles,  and 
then  cometh  everlasting  deliverance !  and  O 
how  welcome  the  messenger  !  How  soon  I 
shall  join  my  old  companions  in  paradise  !  how 
our  dear  brother  Haslem  vvill  exult  when  we 
meet  in  the  heavenly  plains  !" 

To  G.  Sh — w  he  said,  "  My  dying  exhorta- 
tion is,  Be  diligent.  It  is  impossible  to  do  too 
much  for  God.  Give  all  diligence,  with  single- 
ness of  heart.  Never  faint,  never  relax,  but 
labour  so  much  the  more  in  the  time  of  sore 
conflict.'' 

To  another  he  said,  "  How  kind  the  Lord  is 
to  me.  He  is  gently  taking  down  this  taberna- 
cle  ;  he  surrounds  me  with  kind  sympathizing 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  193 

friends,  and  kisses  my  soul  away  to  regions  of 
blessedness.  In  a  few  days,  or  weeks,  I  shall 
hear  the  cry,  '  Behold  the  bridegroom  cometh  ! 
go  ye  out  and  meet  him.'  And  the  best  of  all 
is,  it  will  be  just  when  the  Lord  pleases." 

December  10,  1811.  To-day  he  fainted  for 
a  short  time,  through  extreme  weakness,  and 
thought  he  was  dying.  When  he  recovered  a 
little  he  said,  "  I  felt  no  inward  flutter  :  I  sweet- 
ly sunk  into  the  arms  of  Jesus,  saying,  '  Tri- 
umphant Lord,  appear !'  " 

Two  female  friends  called :  one  of  them  came 
out  of  the  country,  and  at  whose  house  Mr.  L. 
had  often  preached  ;  he  said,  "  I  am  a  dying 
witness  of  all  those  essential  doctrines  which  I 
have  preached  on  your  mountains  and  vales 
for  many  years.  The  truth  and  faithfulness 
of  God  stand  for  ever.  I  am  more  than  con- 
queror through  Jesus  Christ.  I  have  confessed 
him  through  life,  and  in  this  important  hour  he 
does  not  forsake  his  feeble  servant.  '  To  pub- 
lish the  glad  tidings  has  been  the  delight  of  my 
heart !'  No  pleasure-taker  has  longed  more 
for  the  return  of  the  parish  wakes  than  I 
have  longed  for  the  return  of  the  Sabbath, 
that  I  might  again  engage  in  my  pleasant 
work." 

To  W.  B.,  a  local  preacher,  he  said,  "  I  have 
the  advantage  of  you,  notwithstanding  my  weak- 
ness and  confinement ;  for  '  I  have  fought  the 
good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have 
kept  the  faith,  and  the  crown  of  righteousness 
awaits  me :'  but  you  are  yet  in  the  field  of 
13 


194  LIFE   OF   LONGDKK. 

warfare  :  be  faithful  only,  and  victory  is  cer- 
tain. O  how  near  !  how  soon  I  shall  tread  the 
golden  streets !  Labour,  my  brother,  for  in- 
ward liberty  and  uniform  steadfastness,  then 
the  pulpit  will  not  be  a  prison  ;  your  inward 
conflicts  will  be  easy,  and  your  public  labours 
will  be  blessed  :  without  this,  you  will  only 
make  patch- work  of  it." 

"  How  unutterably  sweet  is  the  presence  of 
Jesus  to  me  !  where  thou  art,  nothing  can  be 
difficult  or  painful,  but  all  is  well.  He  has  a 
name  above  every  name  :  what  can  we  fear 
with  such  a  Saviour  !" 

At  another  time  he  said,  "  I  am  just  taken 
from  the  evil  to  come  :  I  almost  tremble  for  the 
rising  generation.  When  I  began  to  be  ill, 
the  Lord  found  me  in  a  state  of  gospel  liberty  ; 
I  was  not  carrying  a  load  of  guilt,  nor  indulg- 
ing  any  secret  sin,  so  that  there  was  not  any 
thing  to  undo." 

Decemher  11.  He  said,  "How  I  want  to 
praise  God.  I  have  an  intense  desire  to  shout 
the  praises  of  God.  I  am  so  languid  and  feeble 
I  cannot  shout,  but  soon  I  shall  praise  him  with 
the  fire  of  a  seraph." 

Decemher  12.  "I  am  gradually  going  down 
with  the  sun  in  December,  and  we  shall  both 
in  a  few  days  be  at  our  lowest  point ;  and  then 
I  shall  rise,  and  rise  for  ever  !" 

"  This  is  my  experience,  looking  for  the  mercy 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  eternal  life. 
There  is  not  any  thing  in  the  world  a  thou- 
sandth part  so  desirable  as  death  !    To  depart, 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN,  195 

and  to  be  with  Christ,  is  far  better  than  long 
life  in  its  best  estate." 

In  answer  to  the  inquiries  of  a  friend,  he  said, 
"•  This  has  been  a  good  day  ;  how  near  heaven 
has  been  to  me  !  My  natural  disposition  is 
active,  and  would  not  be  confined  in  a  corner  ; 
but  I  am  a  prisoner  of  the  Lord,  gently  sinking 
into  the  grave.  It  is  by  faith  and  patience  we 
inherit  the  promises,  and  how  necessary  are 
both  in  a  lingering  decline !  In  this  illness 
first  my  flesh  began  to  waste  and  my  strength 
to  fail  ;  then  my  appetite  was  more  nice  and 
delicate ;  then  my  knees  trembled  under  me,  and 
now  I  cannot  support  my  tottering  frame  :  thus 
the  Lord  is  gently  taking  down  this  tabernacle. 
O  happy,  happy !  when  the  weary  Avheels  of 
life  stand  still !  and  how  very  soon  !" 

December  14.  One  of  the  family  desired  to 
support  his  back  with  pillows  :  he  said,  "  Jesus 
is  the  best  prop,  my  love  !  yes,  he  is  my  prop  : 
he  does  and  will  support  me.  O  he  is  a  sweet 
prop  !  blessed  be  his  name  !" 

This  evening,  the  family  being  assembled  in 
his  room,  he  said,  "  At  the  close  of  another 
week  I  can  say,  the  Lord  is  still  with  me ;  he 
has  supported  me,  and  now  I  have  more  to 
praise  him  for  than  ever.  This  condescension 
of  my  Lord  is  nothing  more  than  I  expected. 
O  how  the  grace  of  G  od  has  preserved  me  these 
many  years  ! — it  was  not  with  a  youthful  flash ; 
no,  for  latterly  I  have  been  more  fully  devoted 
to  God  than  ever  I  was,  and  the  Lord  does  not 
forsake  his  servants  in  their  extremity  and  old 


196  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

age.  I  know  he  will  bring  me  off  more  than 
conqueror  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb." 

Speaking   of  a  backslider   he    said,   "  Poor 

man  !  when  he  is  taken  ill  he  sends  for  J 

to  pray  for  him  ;  wrings  his  hands,  and  is  in 
the  utmost  distress  ;  but,  poor  dear  man  !  as 
soon  as  he  is  a  little  better  he  goes  to  the  ta- 
vern  as  formerly.  O  the  danger  of  such  a  cha- 
racter !" 

Speaking  of  a  friend,  who  is  subject  to  a  very 
dangerous  complaint,  "Ah!"  he  said,  "he 
must  be  always  ready ;  ever  have  on  his  hea- 
venly clothes,  that  whenever  the  chariot  of  fire 
and  the  horses  thereof  arrive,  he  may  have  no- 
thing to  do  but  to  step  in,  and  mount  up  through 
the  air  to  the  heavenly  regions." 

A  friend  saying  to  him  he  thought  he  might 
yet  recover,  with  a  smile  he  replied,  '•  I  am 
quite  happy  with  respect  to  that  ;  my  cause  is 
in  good  hands  :  were  it  in  the  hands  of  my 
dear  wife  or  children,  or  friends,  or  physicians, 
they  are  all  but  poor  fallible  creatures,  and 
would  be  sure  to  err  :  but  my  Jesus,  who  has 
my  cause  in  his  hands,  my  divine  Master,  my 
bleeding  Lamb,  my  precious  Saviour,  cannot 
err.  Let  it  be  life  or  death,  my  Lord,  as  thou 
appointest." 

Being  very  weary  and  restless,  he  exclaimed, 
"  O  my  Jesus  !  come  to  me  and  raise  me  !  I 
cannot  doubt  thy  love,  but  I  want  to  feel  its 
power  :  I  cannot  doubt  thy  faithfulness,  but  I 
want  to  feel  its  plenitude.  Come,  my  Lord  ! 
and  help  thy  poor  weak  child." 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  197 

To  Mr.  W he  said,  "  How  is  it  that  I 

have  not  the  burstins;  joys,  the  mighty  floods  ?" 

Mr.  VV said,  "  Rather  inquire,  have  I  per- 

feet  patience,  perfect  resignation,  perfect  love  ?" 
'*  O  yes,"  he  said,  •'  if  the  Lord  were  to  prolong 
my  sufferings  in  this  confinement  for  many 
years,  I  would  say,  Father,  thy  will  only  be 
done !"  "  How  is  it  possible,"  said  Mr.  W., 
"  without  a  miracle,  to  shout  the  praises  of 
God,  when  your  voice  is  nearly  gone?  Such 
visitations  would  delight  your  soul,  but  they 
would  not  be  any  additional  ground  of  confi- 
dence." 

To  a  friend  he  said,  "  Many  of  my  brethren 
have  run  before  me  in  learning,  ability,  and 
success  ;  but  I  trust  few  of  them  have  laboured 
more  willinnly  and  cheerfully  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord."  ^ 

He  often  told  his  brethren  that  he  was  wait- 
ing for  the  promi-:e  of  the  Father,  even  as  a 
baptism  of  the  Spirit,  as  an  entire  meetness  for 
heaven.  On  Christmas  eve  he  had  a  memo- 
rable visit  from  the  Lord  :  he  proclaimed  aloud 
the  glory  of  the  Lord  :  roused,  as  it  were,  with 
the  shouts  of  angels,  and  kindled  into  rapture 
with  visions  of  glory,  he  broke  into  expressions 
of  holy  triumph  in  Christ,  as  infinitely  precious 
and  faithful,  and  eternity  seemed  to  him  as  if 
it  would  be  too  short  '•  to  utter  all  his  praise !" 

To  C.  C he  said,  "  How  often  we  say 

we  want  to  live  nearer  to  God.  The  great  evil 
is,  that  we  do  not  resolutely  pray  more.  We 
must  have  time  for  secret  prayer,  taken  from 


198  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

business  or  sleep  if  we  have  no  leisure.  Who 
ever  resolved  thus,  in  the  strength  of  God,  with- 
out  actually  living  nearer  to  God  ?  It  has  been 
my  rule  and  invariable  practice  for  some  years, 
to  pray  at  least  six  times  a  day  in  secret,  and 
with  less  than  this  I  could  not  maintain  unin- 
terrupted union  with  God." 

Mr.  Jonathan    B r   called,  and  said  he 

had  a  laborious  day  on  the  Sabbath,  and  he  felt 
the  effects  of  it ;  to  which  he  replied,  "  I  can 
tell  you,  on  the  faith  of  a  dying  man,  the  work 
5''ou  are  engaged  in  is  the  work  of  God;  and  if 
you  are  fully  faithful,  you  will  receive  a  glo- 
rious reward  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just.'' 

December  26.  For  five  hours  this  evening 
he  had  a  violent  pain  in  the  heart,  but  main- 
tained  a  sweet  equanimity  of  mind.  "  This 
body,"  he  said,  "  cannot  find  rest  for  one  mo- 
ment, but  soon  it  will  rest  in  the  grave.  My 
Saviour  trod  the  wine-press  alone,  forsaken  of 
his  friends,  and  hated  of  his  enemies  ;  but  I,  a 
worm,  have  every  earthly  comfort,  and  every 
blessing  arising  from  the  skill  of  physicians,  the 
attention  and  tenderness  of  my  family,  the  affec- 
tion of  my  friends,  and  the  prayers  of  the  church. 
Jesus  exclaimed,  '  My  God  !  my  God !  why 
hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?'  whereas  I  have  the 
presence  of  God  every  moment ;  and  his  pre- 
sence is  ease  in  pain,  and  life  in  death." 

He  said,  "  Mr. is  far  the  wisest  man 

I  have  known  ;  he  is  living  most  for  eternity  ! 
he  is  more  abundant  in  labour,  and  in  success 
in  winning  and  saving  souls." 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  199 

Jan.  1,  1812.  His  words  were,  "  Happy  ! 
happy  !  happy  !  I  would  not  exchange  with  any 
man  upon  earth.  O  what  a  prospect  of  an  in- 
heritance beyond  the  grave  !  It  is  this  which 
stamps  a  superiority  upon  religion  ;  it  is  not  a 
cunningly  devised  fable."  "  As  I  grow  weaker 
my  cough  is  less  irritable  :  how  kind  this  is  of 
my  Lord !" 

To  two  female  friends  he  said,  "  Labour  to 
give  your  v/hole  heart  to  God,  and  then  labour 
to  do  all  you  can  for  God  in  his  members  ;  if 
your  opportunity  be  small,  yet  if  you  can  but 
pin  a  pin  for  God,  he  will  not  be  unmindful  of 
it,  and  it  cannot  lose  its  reward." 

Ai  another  time  he  said,  "  What  a  comfort 
1  lind  in  always  having  God  at  hand  to  turn 
unto  !  When  I  awake  I  find  him  instantly  in 
my  thoughts,  cheering  me  upon  my  bed."  Rais- 
ing himself  in  bed,  with  lifted  hands,  he  said, 
"  What  a  glorious  change  I  shall  soon  experi- 
ence !  What  raiment  I  am  about  to  wear ! 
What  company  I  shall  join,  and  blissful  em- 
ployments I  shall  enter  upon  !  The  grandeur 
of  princes  is  faded  and  gone  !" 

January  4.  The  family  being  met  in  his 
room  for  worship,  he  said,  "  One  means  of  my 
preservation  has  been — sincerity.  I  have  made 
many  mistakes,  but  I  have  instantly  confessed 
my  fault  to  God,  and  he  has  healed  me.  My 
children  and  servants,  if  you  would  not  have 
any  misgivings  upon  a  dying  bed,  in  your  trans- 
actions never  have  two  ends  in  view,  a  secret 


200  LIFE   OF   LONGDEN. 

and  an  open  one  :  avoid  a  double  mind,  as  be- 
ing the  sure  way  to  destruction." 

January  6.  Being  extremely  feeble,  and 
having  a  restless  night,  he  wished  to  be  dressed 
and  assisted  down  stairs,  but  thought  he  should 
not  be  able  to  return.  "  I  think,"  he  said, 
"  this  may  be  the  last  rising  from  m}"  bed." 
*'  But,"  a  friend  observed,  "  you  may  revive  a 
little."  "  That,"  he  said,  "  affords  me  no  com. 
fort."  He  exhorted  his  wife,  and  those  of  his 
children  present,  to  labour  after  spirituaUty, 
living  continually  under  a  sense  of  the  divine 
influence.  In  the  course  of  the  day  he  said 
also,  "  Perhaps  we  have  been  mistaken  in  our 
views,  in  not  any  thing  more  than  in  the  pro- 
bable simplicity  of  the  scene  upon  our  instant 
dismissal  from  the  body  :  probably  the  departed 
spirit  of  an  old  companion  in  tribulation  may 
smile  and  welcome  me  into  the  heavenly  world, 
and,  opening  my  eyes,  I  may  find  myself  in 
paradise  ;  and  as  soon  as  the  child  of  immor- 
tality can  bear,  the  surrounding  happy  spirits 
may  conduct  me  into  tha  presence  of  him  whom 
my  soul  loveth,  even  to  Jesus." 

To  Mr.  B 11  he  said,  "  Sometimes  I  am 

so  weak  and  languid  that  I  do  not  know  where 
I  am  or  who  I  am.  When  I  am  myself  I  am 
waiting  upon  God  every  moment.  At  the  low- 
est of  times  I  know  that  all  is  well ;  so  that  I 
am  tossed  upon  a  tempestuous  sea,  with  the  port 
in  view, 

'  And  my  Lord,  he  will  not  tarry : 
Soon  he'll  call  his  servant  home,'  " 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  201 

January  10.  All  this  day  a  heavenly  sweet- 
ness rested  upon  him.  Having  a  little  ease 
and  recruited  strength,  his  lips  were  touched 
with  a  live  coal  from  the  altar,  and  he  tri- 
umphed in  Christ ;  he  said,  "  My  Jesus  !  thou 
art  my  heart's  delig-lit,  my  soul's  only  treasure, 
my  satisfying  portion,  my  eternal  inheritance." 

About  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  he  said, 
"  My  dear,  I  am  cold  at  my  heart  ;  I  think  the 
last  conflict  is  commencing."  Soon  after  he 
was  seized  with  a  shaking  fit.  We  thought  it 
was  the  last  struggle ;  during  this  time  he  could 
not  speak,  but  he  was  quite  sensible.  In  about 
an  hour  the  violence  of  the  symptoms  abated, 
and  he  revived  again.  He  passed  a  very  rest- 
less  night. 

On  Saturday  the  glands  of  his  throat  swelled 
much  ;  he  had  a  night  of  toil,  but  evinced  no- 
thing  but  perfect  patience. 

On  Sunday,  January  12,  he  could  not  rise 
from  his  bed,  for  the  first  time.  He  admired 
the  goodness  of  God  in  dealing  with  him  so 
gently  throughout  his  affliction,  bringing  the 
body  down  to  death  by  imperceptible  de- 
grees. 

To  a  friend  he  said,  '•  I  believe  the  angels  of 
God  are  hovering  around  us,  we  must  die  to  see 
them ;  and  who  would  not  die  to  be  admitted 
into  the  company  of  saints  and  angels.  Hasten, 
O  Lord,  the  day  of  my  espousals !"  To  his 
family  he  said,  "  If  departed  saints  are  per- 
mitted to  go  on  embassies  of  love  to  their  old 
companions  in  tribulation  whom  they  have  left 


202  LIFE    OF   LONGDEN. 

behind,  I  shall  be  glad  to  visit  you  and  give  you 
a  Uft  up  the  hill." 

For  some  weeks  past  the  doctors  had  almost 
daily  expected  his  dissolution  ;  and  he  himself 
had  begun  to  say,  "  Why  do  thy  chariot  wheels 
delay  ?"  and,  "  To  be  present  in  the  body  is  to 
be  absent  from  my  Lord  :  to  depart  and  be  with 

Christ  is   far  better,"  &c.     Mr.  B 11  this 

morning,  when  praying  with  us,  blessed  God 
for  a  new  day  given,  that  we  might  receive 
grace  upon  grace,  and  by  lengthened  suffering 
might  brighten  our  crown  and  increase  our 
glory  for  ever.  This  thought  affected  his  mind, 
and  he  said,  "  Jesus,  I'll  cease  to  count  the 
hours  ;  I'll  suffer  on  a  month,  a  year  !  thy  time 
is  the  best.     O  let  thy  will  be  done !" 

He  remarked,  "  I  bless  the  Lord  I  have  been 
spared  again  to  set  my  house  in  order  :  I  have 
lived  to  see  all  my  just  debts  paid,  and  every 
thing  made  plain  and  easy  for  my  executors. 
For  this  I  thank  thee,  O  heavenlv  Father !" 

To  Mr.  G.  S th,  who  had  walked  thirty 

miles  to  see  him  once  more,  he  said,  "  My  bro- 
ther, the  way  in  which  we  are  is  the  good  and 
the  right  way.  It  is  good  in  proportion  as  far 
as  we  have  gone  ;  if  we  had  gone  farther  it 
would  have  been  better.  Had  I  strength  and 
utterance,  I  would  tell  you  my  enlarged  views 
of  eternal  things.  My  brother,  our  God  is  able 
to  give  exceeding  abundantlv  above  all  we  ask 
or  think.  He  is  faithful  to  every  promise ;  but 
how  much  depends  upon  our  diligence  !  The 
Lord  is  very  kind  and  gracious,  he  never  leaves 


LIFE    OF   LCNGDEN.  203 

me  for  a  moment.  I  have  not  had  a  doubt  or 
a  scruple  since  the  beginning  of  my  affliction. 
I  hope  you  will  live  many  happy  useful  years, 
if  you  can  but  proportion  your  exertions  to  your 
strength  ;  otherwise  you  will  bring  premature 
infirmities  and  death." 

The  return  of  his  fever  became  more  fre- 
quent, and  caused  almost  a  continual  restless- 
ness and  tossing.  The  word  rest  was  music 
in  his  ears,  yet  his  cry  was,  "  Jesus,  let  all  thy 
will  be  done  !"  He  expressed  an  increasing 
willingness  to  suffer,  and  he  was  evidently  tak- 
ing a  softer  mould,  changing  from  glory  to 
glory  into  the  image  of  God,  who  is  transcend- 

ently  glorious  in  holiness.     Mrs.  B 11  said, 

"  Well,  blessed  be  God !  patience  is  not  ex- 
hausted yet."  «  No,"  he  said,  "  that  is  not 
wonderful,  when  I  assure  you  that  the  Lord  is 
with  me  continually ;  and  he  is  patience  and 
resignation,  courage  and  fortitude,  strength 
and  wisdom.  I  have  survived  beyond  all  the 
expectations  of  all  my  friends,  and  I  am  spared 
for  purposes  worthy  of  the  wisdom  and  good- 
ness of  God  ;  and  as  soon  as  they  are  fully 
accomplished  he  will  call  me  home." 

Mrs.    B 11  remarked,  '•  I  think,  from  a 

dream  which  a  pious  man  had  respecting  Mr. 
Fletcher,  the  spirits  of  departed  saints  visit 
the  churches,  or  particular  members  of  the  mi- 
litant church,  only  by  express  command,  and 
that  their  happiness  chiefly  consists  in  doing 
the  will  of  Christ,  and  serving  his  pleasure." 
"  So  think   I,"  he  replied  ;  '•  nevertheless,  it  is 


204  LIFE    Ot"   LONGDEN. 

probable  the}'  do  thus  minister  to  the  saints  on 
earth.  I  often  think  our  powers  vrili  be  amaz- 
ingly enlarged  and  perfected  when  we  enter 
the  world  of  spirits — there  will  be  no  error  ; 
that  which  is  imperfect  shall  be  done  away  : 
and  when  our  bodies  are  changed  and  fashioned 
like  unto  the  glorious  body  of  Christ,  and  when 
with  our  united  soul  and  body  we  meet  the 
Lord  in  the  air,  our  happiness  will  be  consum- 
mated for  ever." 

Fehruary  10.  He  now  took  very  little  sup- 
port, and  entirely  refused  all  solids.  His  me- 
mory, which  till  now  was  retentive,  began  to 
fail.  The  doctor  told  him  he  could  not  survive 
long.  "  That,"  he  said,  "  is  a  sweet  word, 
doctor ;  it  revives  me ;  yet  I  am  not  anxious 
how  long." 

His  mind  fully  rested  on  God,  desirous  only, 
in  life  and  in  death,  to  advance  his  glory. 
From  the  12th  to  the  23d  February,  he  could 
not  lie  upon  his  sides  for  pain  and  difficulty  of 
breathing,  and  he  could  not  lie  upon  his  back, 
because  the  skin  was  inflamed  and  broken,  so 
that  he  could  only  sleep  while  his  head  was 
supported  with  pillows,  night  or  day  :  he  also 
coughed  very  much,  which  so  exhausted  him 
that  he  was  unable  to  converse  much  with  his 
friends,  and  but  few  v»'ere  permitted  to  see  him. 
During  the  short  intervals  in  which  this  dying 
Christian  was  able  to  speak,  his  language  was 
to  the  glory  of  Christ,  and  to  the  encourage- 
ment of  his  servants.  "  How  precious,"  he 
said,  "  is  Christ,  in  all  his  offices,  his  atonement 


LIFE    OF   LONGDEN.  205 

and  intercession,  liis  covenants  and  graces." 
While  a  friend  prayed  with  him,  he  said,  '•  It 
is  all  glory  !  all  glory  /" 

February  22.  He  appeared  to  change  for 
death  ;  he  blessed  his  family  ;  afterwards  he  re- 
vived again.  To  his  old  tried  friend  he  said, 
"  My  dear  friend,  how  I  love  you  !  it  is  with  a 
pure  heart,  fervently  ;  God  will  support  you  to 
the  end.     You  will  not  be  long  after  me." 

Sunday,  February  23.  A  visible  change 
took  place  at  six  this  morning,  and  it  was  evi- 
dent his  departure  was  at  hand.  He  had  al- 
most an  incessant  coughing,  but  was  able  to 
expectorate  very  little.  "  This,"  he  said,  "  is 
my  last  earthly  Sabbath.  O  !  how  soon  !  how 
very  soon  !  deliverance  is  at  hand  !  I  charge 
you  all  to  meet  me  in  heaven."  He  was  quite 
sensible  all  the  day,  but  was  able  to  speak  but 
little. 

At  six  in  the  evening  the  mucus  fell  upon 
the  lungs,  and  his  cough  ceased.  The  last  con- 
flict  was  begun  :  he  said,  "  The  messenger  of 
my  Lord  is  come ;  do  not  any  of  you  be  flut- 
tered or  alarmed,  but  be  silently  engaged  with 
God  in  prayer."  He  entered  the  valley  as  one 
M'ho  feared  no  evil.  Fully  prepared  for  every 
event,  he  met  the  last  enemy  with  the  compo- 
sure and  steadiness  which  had  ever  distinguish- 
ed him  upon  former  occasions  of  suffering.  In 
life  he  had  been  one  of  the  foremost  in  the 
Christian  profession,  and  in  death  he  was  called 
to  give  full  proof  of  its  genuineness,  by  being 
put  into  the  front  rank  of  suflering.     For  the 


206  LIFE    OF    LONGDEN. 

space  of  eight  hours  before  his  dissolution  his 
suffering  was  extreme.  A  Uttle  cold  water  be- 
ing given  him  in  a  tea-spoon,  he  said,  '•  The 
request  of  Dives  was  a  small  one,  but  it  was 
denied  him."  His  lips  being  wet  again  with 
water,  he  said,  ''  Hallelujah  for  cold  water !" 
He  waved  his  hand,  and  looked  unutterable 
things !  He  saw  beyond  the  limited  gloom  of 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  those  ever- 
lasting hills  of  light  and  glory  to  which  his  soul 
aspired  !  and  he  waved  his  hand  in  token  of 
complete,  everlasting  victory. 

At  two  o'clock  he  asked  who  we  were  that 
sat  near  his  bed — we  told  him.  Several  rose 
up  to  watch  his  departing  breath  ;  he  waved 
his  hand  for  them  to  sit  down.  Afterwards  he 
turned  his  eyes  to  the  window,  and  said,  "Air." 
When  we  had  put  down  the  sash  we  gently 
raised  him  in  bed,  and  he  breathed  with  more 
ease  ;  till,  at  half  past  two,  on  Monday  morn- 
ing,  February  24,  he  entered  the  joy  of  his 
Lord,  in  the  fit'ty-eighth  year  of  his  age. 

Happy  spirit  !  thy  warfare  is  accomplished, 
and  thou  hast  taken  thy  everlasting  flight.  May 
those  who  remain  eagerly  grasp  thy  mantle  ; 
and  may  thy  name  and  excellences  be  perpe- 
tuated  in  the  church  as  long  as  the  sun  and 
moon  endure !     Amen. 

Our  deceased  friend  was  buried,  by  his  par- 
ticular desire,  not  as  a  gentleman,  but  as  a 
plain  Christian.  About  forty  of  his  brethren, 
the  itinerant  and  local  preachers,  proceeded 
first,  two  by  two ;  then  the  corpse,  carried  by 


LIFE    OF    LONGDEN.  207 

sLx  of  those  who  loved  him  ;  eight  of  his  par- 
ticular friends  were  pall-bearers ;  and,  although 
the  day  was  cold  and  stormy,  it  was  computed 
there  were  not  fewer  than  ten  thousand  sin- 
cere mourners  accompanied  his  remains  to  the 
house  appointed  for  all  living.     The  memory 

OF  THE  JUST  IS  BLESSED. 


THE    E^'D. 


tJCSB  tlBR/niY 


Efi'J  REj;0',-^L  jBRAPf  FAiJLIT^ 


B     000  007  373     4 


